FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS INC
S-4, 1997-08-28
FABRICATED STRUCTURAL METAL PRODUCTS
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<PAGE>
    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON AUGUST 28, 1997
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                         ------------------------------
 
                                    FORM S-4
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                         ------------------------------
 
                         FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
                             and Other Registrants*
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                              <C>                            <C>
           DELAWARE                    3563, 3446, 3261            36-3931893
 (State or other jurisdiction    (Primary Standard Industrial   (I.R.S. Employer
              of                 Classification Code Number)     Identification
incorporation or organization)                                        No.)
</TABLE>
 
                           TWO NORTH RIVERSIDE PLAZA
                                   SUITE 1100
                            CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60606
                                 (312) 906-9700
              (Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
  including area code, of registrant's and co-registrant's principal executive
                                    offices)
 
                                  GUS J. ATHAS
                         FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
                                   SUITE 1100
                            CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60606
                                 (312) 906-9700
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                             of agent for service)
                         ------------------------------
 
                                WITH COPIES TO:
 
       CHARLES K. MARQUIS, ESQ.                   RICHARD M. RUSSO, ESQ.
     Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP               Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
           200 Park Avenue                  1801 California Street, Suite 4200
       New York, New York 10166                   Denver, Colorado 80202
 
                         ------------------------------
 
        APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
  AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE.
                         ------------------------------
 
    If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with
General Instruction G, check the following box. / /
                         ------------------------------
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                PROPOSED MAXIMUM    PROPOSED MAXIMUM      AMOUNT OF
           TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF                AMOUNT TO       OFFERING PRICE        AGGREGATE        REGISTRATION
         SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED           BE REGISTERED      PER UNIT (1)     OFFERING PRICE (1)        FEE
<S>                                            <C>             <C>                 <C>                 <C>
9 1/2% Series B Senior Subordinated Notes Due
  2007 (the "Notes").........................   $145,000,000          100%            $145,000,000         $43,940
Guarantees of the Notes*.....................   $145,000,000          (2)                 (2)                (2)
10 1/2% Series B Senior Subordinated Discount
  Notes Due 2007 (the "Discount Notes")......   $169,317,000         61.22%           $103,662,640         $31,413
Guarantees of the Discount Notes*............   $169,317,000          (2)                 (2)                (2)
</TABLE>
 
(1) Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(f) solely for the purposes of calculating the
    registration fee.
(2) No separate consideration will be received for the Guarantees.
                         ------------------------------
 
    THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID
SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.
 
                               *OTHER REGISTRANTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION
                                                  OF
      EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT             INCORPORATION OR        PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL     I.R.S. EMPLOYER
    AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER              ORGANIZATION          CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBERS  IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
<S>                                   <C>                          <C>                          <C>
Hart & Cooley, Inc. ................           Delaware                       3446                   38-2705628
Mansfield Plumbing Products,
  Inc. .............................           Delaware                       3261                   34-1534929
DeVilbiss Air Power Company.........           Delaware                       3563                   36-3557594
SWC Industries, Inc. ...............           Delaware                       3088                   36-3677709
Ex-Cell Manufacturing Company,
  Inc. .............................           Arkansas                       3589                   71-0619649
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                  SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED AUGUST 28, 1997
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
<PAGE>
                                     [LOGO]
 
                             OFFER FOR OUTSTANDING
             9 1/2% SERIES A SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007 AND
          10 1/2% SERIES A SENIOR SUBORDINATED DISCOUNT NOTES DUE 2007
                         IN EXCHANGE FOR, RESPECTIVELY,
             9 1/2% SERIES B SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007 AND
          10 1/2% SERIES B SENIOR SUBORDINATED DISCOUNT NOTES DUE 2007
 
        THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME,
                    ON              , 1997, UNLESS EXTENDED.
 
    Falcon Building Products, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
hereby offers (the "Exchange Offer"), upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth herein and in the related Letter of Transmittal, to
exchange up to $145.0 million aggregate principal amount of 9 1/2% Series B
Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007 (the "Notes") of the Company for a like
amount of the privately placed 9 1/2% Series A Senior Subordinated Notes Due
2007 (the "Old Notes") of the Company issued on June 17, 1997, from the holders
thereof (together with the holders of Notes, "Noteholders") and to exchange up
to $169.317 million aggregate principal amount at maturity of 10 1/2% Series B
Senior Subordinated Discount Notes Due 2007 (the "Discount Notes") of the
Company for a like amount of the privately placed 10 1/2% Series A Senior
Subordinated Discount Notes Due 2007 (the "Old Discount Notes") of the Company
issued on June 17, 1997, from the holders thereof (together with the holders of
Discount Notes, "Discount Noteholders"). The Old Notes and the Old Discount
Notes are referred to collectively herein as the "Old Securities" and the Notes
and the Discount Notes are referred to collectively herein as the "Securities."
Simultaneously with the issuance of the Old Discount Notes, the Company issued
$683,000 aggregate principal amount at maturity of 10 1/2% Series A Senior
Subordinated Discount Notes to certain members of its senior management (the
"Management Discount Notes"). Although the terms of the Management Discount
Notes are identical to the Old Discount Notes, the Management Discount Notes are
not included in the Exchange Offer and are not, for the purposes of the Exchange
Offer and this Prospectus, deemed to be Old Discount Notes.
 
    The Securities are being offered hereunder in order to satisfy the
obligations of the Company under a Registration Rights Agreement dated June 17,
1997 (the "Registration Rights Agreement") by and among the Company, the
Guarantors (as defined) and Smith Barney Inc., BT Securities Corporation, Chase
Securities and Merrill Lynch, Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated (the "Initial
Purchasers"). The Exchange Offer is designed to provide to Noteholders and
Discount Noteholders (collectively, "Holders") an opportunity to acquire
Securities which, unlike the Old Securities, are expected to be freely
transferable at all times, subject to state "blue sky" law restrictions,
PROVIDED that the Holder is not an "affiliate" of the Company within the meaning
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and represents
that the Securities are being acquired in the ordinary course of such Holder's
business and the Holder is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a
distribution of the Securities. With the exception of the freely transferable
nature of the Securities, the Securities are substantially identical to the Old
Securities. See "The Exchange Offer--Purpose of the Exchange Offer."
 
    The Company will accept for exchange any and all validly tendered Old
Securities on or prior to 5:00 P.M., New York time, on                 , 1997,
unless extended (the "Expiration Date"). Tenders of Old Securities made pursuant
to the Exchange Offer may be withdrawn at any time prior to the Expiration Date.
In the event the Company terminates the Exchange Offer and does not accept any
Securities with respect to the Exchange Offer, the Company will promptly return
such Old Securities to the Holders thereof. The Company will not receive any
proceeds from the Exchange Offer.
 
    The Securities will be general unsecured obligations of the Company ranking
subordinate in right of payment to all existing and future Senior Debt (as
defined) of the Company. The Securities will rank PARI PASSU in right of payment
with all other indebtedness of the Company that is subordinated to Senior Debt,
if any, and will rank senior to any indebtedness of the Company that is
subordinated to the Securities. As of June 30, 1997, the aggregate amount of
consolidated Indebtedness of the Company was $425.1 million, $177.7 million of
which was Senior Debt. The
 
                                                   (CONTINUED ON FOLLOWING PAGE)
                           --------------------------
 
    SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 12 HEREIN FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN
RISKS THAT HOLDERS OF OLD SECURITIES SHOULD CONSIDER IN CONNECTION WITH THE
EXCHANGE OFFER.
                           --------------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
     EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
        SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
             COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF
                THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
                      CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
             THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS                 , 1997.
<PAGE>
Indentures (as defined) permit the Company to incur additional indebtedness,
including indebtedness under the $125.0 million revolving credit portion of the
Credit Facility (as defined). The Securities will be guaranteed (each, a "Senior
Subordinated Guarantee") fully, unconditionally, and jointly and severally on a
senior subordinated basis by the Company's Restricted Subsidiaries (the
"Guarantors"). The Senior Subordinated Guarantees will be subordinate in right
of payment to all Senior Debt of the Guarantors. See "Description of the
Securities."
 
    Interest on the Notes will be payable, in cash, semi-annually on June 15 and
December 15 of each year, commencing December 15, 1997. The Securities will
mature on June 15, 2007. The Old Discount Notes were issued at a substantial
discount from their principal amount. Cash interest will not accrue on the
Discount Notes prior to June 15, 2002. Thereafter, interest will be payable, in
cash, semi-annually on June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing December
15, 2002. The Securities are redeemable at the option of the Company, on one or
more occasions, in whole or in part, at any time on or after June 15, 2002 at
the redemption prices set forth therein, together with accrued and unpaid
interest, if any, to the date of redemption. See "Certain Federal Income Tax
Consequences." Prior to June 15, 2000, up to 35% of the aggregate principal
amount at maturity of each of the Notes and the Discount Notes will be
redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, with the net cash
proceeds of a public offering of common stock of the Company, at a price of
109.5% of the principal amount of the Notes together with accrued and unpaid
interest, if any, to the date of redemption or, with respect to the Discount
Notes, 110.5% of the Accreted Value (as defined) on the date of redemption;
PROVIDED that at least 65% of the original aggregate principal amount of Notes
or the Discount Notes, as applicable, remain outstanding after each such
redemption. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined), (i) the
Company will have the option, at any time on or prior to June 15, 2002, to
redeem the Notes and/or the Discount Notes in whole, but not in part, at a
redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus the
Applicable Premium (as defined), and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the
date of redemption, or in the case of the Discount Notes, a 100% of the Accreted
Value on the date of redemption plus the Applicable Premium and (ii) if the
Company does not so redeem the Notes or Discount Notes, or if a Change of
Control occurs after June 15, 2002, each Holder of Securities may require the
Company to repurchase all or a portion of such Holder's Securities at 101% of
the aggregate principal amount of the Notes, together with accrued and unpaid
interest, if any, to the date of repurchase or, in the case of the Discount
Notes to be repurchased prior to June 15, 2002, at 101% of the Accreted Value on
the date of repurchase. See "Description of the Securities."
 
    The Old Securities were sold by the Company on June 17, 1997 to the Initial
Purchasers in a transaction not registered under the Securities Act in reliance
upon an exemption under the Securities Act. The Initial Purchasers subsequently
placed the Old Securities with qualified institutional buyers in reliance upon
Rule 144A under the Securities Act and with a limited number of accredited
investors that agreed to comply with certain transfer restrictions and other
conditions. Accordingly, the Old Securities may not be reoffered, resold or
otherwise transferred in the United States unless registered under the
Securities Act or unless an applicable exemption from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act is available.
 
    Based on certain interpretive letters issued by the staff of the Securities
and Exchange Commission to third parties, the Company believes that a Holder of
Securities (other than (i) a broker-dealer who purchases such Securities
directly from the Company to resell pursuant to Rule 144A or any other available
exemption under the Securities Act or (ii) a person who is an affiliate of the
Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act) who exchanges
Old Securities for Securities in the ordinary course of business and who is not
participating, does not intend to participate, and has no arrangement or
understanding with any person to participate, in the distribution of the
Securities, will be allowed to resell the Securities to the public without
further registration under the Securities Act and without delivering to the
purchasers of the Securities a prospectus that satisfies the requirements of the
Securities Act. See "The Exchange Offer--Purpose of the Exchange Offer" and
"--Resales of Securities." However, a broker-dealer who holds Old Securities
that were acquired for its own account as a result of market-making or other
trading activities may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of
the Securities Act and must, therefore, deliver a prospectus meeting the
requirements of the Securities Act. If any other Holder is deemed to be an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act or acquires Securities in
the Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing or participating in a
distribution of the Securities, such holder must comply with the registration
and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a
secondary resale transaction, unless an exemption from registration is otherwise
available. For a period of one year from the Expiration Date, the Company will
make copies of this Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, available to any
broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resales. See "Plan of
Distribution."
 
    There has been no public market for the Old Securities and it is not
currently anticipated that an active public market for the Securities will
develop. The Company currently does not intend to apply for the listing of the
Securities on any securities exchange or to seek approval for quotation through
any automated quotation system. The Initial Purchasers have advised the Company
that each of the Initial Purchasers currently intends to make a market in the
Securities; however, none are obligated to do so and any market-making may be
discontinued by any Initial Purchasers at any time without notice. Accordingly,
no assurance can be given as to the liquidity or the trading market for the
Securities.
 
    The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum principal amount of
Old Securities being tendered for exchange. However, the Exchange Offer is
subject to certain customary conditions. See "The Exchange Offer." Old
Securities may be tendered only in integral multiples of $1,000.
 
                                       i
<PAGE>
              AVAILABLE INFORMATION AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
 
    The Company and the Guarantors have filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") a registration statement relating to the
Securities offered hereby (herein, together with all amendments and exhibits,
referred to as the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act. This
Prospectus, which constitutes a part of the Registration Statement, does not
contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement, certain
parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the
Commission. For further information, reference is hereby made to the
Registration Statement. Statements made in this Prospectus as to the contents of
any contract, agreement or other document referred to are not necessarily
complete. With respect to each such contract, agreement or other document filed
as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, reference is made to such exhibit
for a more complete description thereof, and each such statement shall be deemed
qualified in its entirety by such reference.
 
    The Company is and, upon effectiveness of the Registration Statement, the
Guarantors will be, subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith must file periodic reports and other information with the Commission.
All documents filed by the Company or any of the Guarantors pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this
Prospectus and prior to the termination of the Exchange Offer shall be deemed to
be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from
the respective dates of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a
document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be
deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the
extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed
document which is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies
or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall
not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
Prospectus.
 
    The Registration Statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto and any
periodic reports or other information filed pursuant to the Exchange Act may be
inspected without charge and copies at prescribed rates at the Public Reference
Section of the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549, and at the Commission's regional offices at 7 World Trade Center, Suite
1300, New York, New York 10048, and Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West Madison
Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. The Commission maintains a website
that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information
filed electronically with the Commission at http:\\www.sec.gov.
 
    The Company and the Guarantors have agreed to furnish to Holders of the
Securities and Old Securities and prospective purchasers and securities
analysts, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant
to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.
 
NEW HAMPSHIRE RESIDENTS:
 
    NEITHER THE FACT THAT A REGISTRATION STATEMENT OR AN APPLICATION FOR A
LICENSE HAS BEEN FILED UNDER RSA 421-B WITH THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE NOR THE
FACT THAT A SECURITY IS EFFECTIVELY REGISTERED OR A PERSON IS LICENSED IN THE
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE CONSTITUTES A FINDING BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OR THE
SECRETARY OF STATE THAT ANY DOCUMENT FILED UNDER RSA 421-B IS TRUE, COMPLETE AND
NOT MISLEADING. NEITHER ANY SUCH FACT NOR THE FACT THAT AN EXEMPTION OR
EXCEPTION IS AVAILABLE FOR A SECURITY OR A TRANSACTION MEANS THAT THE ATTORNEY
GENERAL HAS PASSED IN ANY WAY UPON THE MERITS OR QUALIFICATIONS OF, OR
RECOMMENDED OR GIVEN APPROVAL TO, ANY PERSON, SECURITY, OR TRANSACTION. IT IS
UNLAWFUL TO MAKE, OR CAUSE TO BE MADE, TO ANY PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER, CUSTOMER,
OR CLIENT, ANY REPRESENTATION INCONSISTENT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION.
 
                                       ii
<PAGE>
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            PAGE
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                         <C>
AVAILABLE INFORMATION AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE......................    ii
 
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY........................................................     1
 
RISK FACTORS..............................................................    12
 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS................................................    20
 
USE OF PROCEEDS...........................................................    20
 
THE EXCHANGE OFFER........................................................    21
 
CAPITALIZATION............................................................    29
 
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME.....................    30
 
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA......................................    36
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
  OPERATIONS..............................................................    38
 
BUSINESS..................................................................    42
 
MANAGEMENT................................................................    53
 
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS....................................................    61
 
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS......................................................    63
 
THE RECAPITALIZATION......................................................    65
 
DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES.............................................    68
 
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES...................................   104
 
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION......................................................   106
 
LEGAL MATTERS.............................................................   107
 
EXPERTS...................................................................   107
 
CHANGE OF ACCOUNTANTS.....................................................   107
 
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS................................   F-1
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
    THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY, AND SHOULD BE READ IN
CONJUNCTION WITH, THE MORE DETAILED INFORMATION AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (INCLUDING THE NOTES THERETO) APPEARING ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS.
AS USED HEREIN AND EXCEPT AS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE MAY REQUIRE, THE "COMPANY" OR
"FALCON" MEANS FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND ALL OF ITS CONSOLIDATED
SUBSIDIARIES. IN ADDITION TO THE HISTORICAL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN,
CERTAIN STATEMENTS IN THIS PROSPECTUS CONSTITUTE "FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS"
UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995 (THE "REFORM ACT")
WHICH INVOLVE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES. THE COMPANY'S ACTUAL RESULTS MAY DIFFER
SIGNIFICANTLY FROM THOSE DISCUSSED HEREIN. FACTORS THAT MIGHT CAUSE SUCH A
DIFFERENCE INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THOSE DISCUSSED UNDER THE CAPTIONS
"RISK FACTORS" AND "MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS" AS WELL AS THOSE DISCUSSED ELSEWHERE IN THIS
PROSPECTUS. SEE "FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS."
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
    The Company is a leading North American manufacturer and distributor of
highly engineered products for the residential and commercial construction and
home improvement markets. The Company markets its products through a variety of
distribution channels, such as wholesale distributors and commercial retailers,
including the growing do-it-yourself ("DIY") channel. The three principal
categories of products manufactured by Falcon are Air Distribution Accessories,
Plumbing Fixtures and Air Power Products. The Company has a long history in each
of its product categories, having sold products for the new construction and
remodeling markets since the early 1900s. For the twelve months ended June 30,
1997, the Company had consolidated net sales of $676.4 million and EBITDA (as
defined) of $82.6 million.
 
    AIR DISTRIBUTION ACCESSORIES--The Company is a leading domestic supplier of
air distribution accessories for heating, ventilating and air conditioning
("HVAC") applications. These products are marketed under the Hart &
Cooley-Registered Trademark-, Metlvent-Registered Trademark-, Reliable-TM-,
Tuttle & Bailey-Registered Trademark-, Woodwinds-TM- and Valley-TM- brand names.
The Company manufactures more than 8,000 items, including metal grilles,
registers and diffusers, gas vent and chimney systems, flexible duct, louvers,
terminal units and electric duct heaters. The Company generally produces these
products on a high-volume, low-cost basis. In addition, the Company supplements
its standard product line with custom-engineered products designed to meet
specific size or performance requirements. For the twelve months ended June 30,
1997, the Company had net sales of $187.5 million in this product category.
 
    PLUMBING FIXTURES--The Company is a leading domestic producer of
high-quality ceramic china bathroom fixtures, including toilets and lavatories.
The Company also produces enameled steel bathtubs and sinks, acrylic whirlpool
tubs and brass and plastic trim and fittings. The Company's Plumbing Fixtures
products are largely targeted at the high-volume, medium price point category
and are sold primarily to the residential new construction and remodeling
markets. The Company sells these products under the
Mansfield-Registered Trademark- and Swirl-way-Registered Trademark- brand names,
which are widely recognized among wholesale distributors and plumbing
contractors as high-quality, reasonably priced plumbing fixtures. For the twelve
months ended June 30, 1997, the Company had net sales of $160.3 million in this
product category.
 
    AIR POWER PRODUCTS--The Company is the leading domestic producer of consumer
and commercial air compressors for home improvement applications and is also the
leading domestic manufacturer of pressure washers. The Company manufactures a
broad line of air compressors, marketed under a number of brand names, including
Air America-TM-, Charge Air Pro-Registered Trademark-, Pro 4000, Pro Air
II-Registered Trademark- and Steel Driver-Registered Trademark-. The Company
also manufactures air compressors under private-label programs, the most
significant of which is the Craftsman-Registered Trademark- label for Sears,
Roebuck and Co. ("Sears"). In addition, the Company manufactures a line of
electric generators and sells a variety of accessory items such as paint spray
guns, nailers and staplers, pneumatic tools, sanders and air hoses for use in
home improvement applications. New products introduced in the past two years
include pressure washers, electric generators and OEM compressors. With the
acquisition of Ex-Cell Manufacturing Company, Inc. ("Ex-Cell") in January 1996,
the Company became the leading domestic manufacturer of pressure washers. For
the twelve months ended June 30, 1997, the Company had net sales of $328.6
million in this product category.
 
                                       1
<PAGE>
    As a result of strong operating performance in all three of its principal
product categories as well as successful add-on acquisitions, Falcon has
experienced significant growth, with net sales and EBITDA increasing at compound
annual growth rates ("CAGR") of 18.6% and 11.0%, respectively, from January 1,
1993 through June 30, 1997. Management considers key elements of Falcon's
success to be its leading market positions, established brand names, emphasis on
quality and customer service, low-cost production, reputation for innovation,
strong distribution networks and successful history of acquisitions.
 
BUSINESS STRENGTHS
 
    The Company attributes its market leadership and significant opportunities
for continued growth and increased profitability to the following competitive
strengths:
 
    MARKET LEADERSHIP WITH STRONG BRAND NAMES.  The Company holds leading market
positions and strong market shares in all of its major markets and the Company
believes it has successfully increased its market share in all three of its
principal product categories over the past three years. The Company believes
that it derives more than 75% of its sales from product lines in which the
Company holds either the number one or number two market position, as measured
in sales (except for Plumbing Fixtures where market position is measured in
units). The Company's leading brand names in each product category include Hart
& Cooley-Registered Trademark-, Metlvent-Registered Trademark- and Reliable-TM-
in Air Distribution Accessories, Mansfield-Registered Trademark- and Swirl-
way-Registered Trademark- in Plumbing Fixtures and Air
America-Registered Trademark-, Charge Air Pro-Registered Trademark-, Steel
Driver-Registered Trademark- and Ex-Cell-Registered Trademark- in Air Power
Products.
 
    EMPHASIS ON QUALITY AND CUSTOMER SERVICE.  The Company emphasizes
high-quality products and superior customer service. The Company stresses the
importance of product quality to all of its employees, incorporates high-quality
materials into its products and has implemented total quality management
initiatives at its operating locations. In recognition of the Company's
excellent value, quality and customer service, the Company has been named Vendor
of the Year by HomeBase (1996), Lowe's (1996) and Sears (1992). The Company also
received a "Partner of the Year" award from The Home Depot in 1996.
 
    LOW-COST PRODUCTION.  The Company believes that it is a low-cost producer in
each of the major markets it serves. The Company has consistently reduced costs
through the development and implementation of cost-effective product designs,
careful attention to manufacturing processes, employee involvement,
consolidation of manufacturing facilities and capital investment. The Company's
low-cost position and focus on productivity and efficiency have resulted in
sales per employee which, management believes, are high relative to the
industry. Productivity and efficiency, as measured by sales per employee, have
increased by approximately 30% since 1992. Management has identified additional
cost reductions as part of its strategic planning process.
 
    TRADITION OF NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND INTRODUCTIONS.  The Company
believes that its tradition of product innovation and the breadth of its product
offerings differentiate the Company from its competitors. The Company has
developed significant product innovations, including the first viable oil-free
compressor and the use of a "universal motor" in its line of air compressors,
which delivers superior horsepower at lower product weights. During the past two
years, the Company has introduced several new products, including pressure
washers, electric generators, decorative residential registers, one-piece
plumbing fixtures, pneumatic nailers and staplers, and electric and OEM
compressors.
 
    WELL-ESTABLISHED DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS.  The Company has a broad and
well-established distribution network encompassing both wholesale and retail
channels throughout the United States and Canada. The Company has established
relationships with more than 1,500 wholesale distributors and with leading
consumer retailers, including mass merchants, warehouse clubs, home improvement
(DIY) centers, hardware cooperatives and farm and fleet cooperatives. The
Company's strong relationships with distributors are supported by the Company's
sales and marketing programs, tailored to suit each market and type of
distributor.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
    HISTORY OF SUCCESSFUL ACQUISITIONS.  Since 1988, the Company has
successfully completed 13 acquisitions, enabling the Company to broaden its
product categories, expand its market coverage and extend its channels of
distribution. The Company's management has demonstrated an ability to identify
complementary acquisitions, complete them at reasonable valuations and
successfully manage their integration into the Company's operations. The Company
has used acquisitions both to expand into new markets, as with the Company's
expansion into the acrylic whirlpool market with its 1995 acquisition of SWC
Industries, Inc. ("Swirlway"), and to augment its position in a particular
market, as with the Company's rise to market leader in the pressure washer
market with its 1996 acquisition of Ex-Cell.
 
BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
    Falcon intends to strengthen its market leadership positions and further
increase sales and EBITDA by continuing to capitalize on its current business
strengths and by implementing the following business strategies:
 
    DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARKET EXPANSION.  The Company intends to
continue to expand market share domestically, while pursuing further expansion
internationally. Management believes significant opportunities for domestic
growth exist given the fragmentation of the building products industry and the
trend by wholesalers and retailers towards consolidation of their vendor bases.
The Company also plans to extend its domestic market coverage by adding
additional DIY and home improvement customers in key regional markets.
Additionally, the Company has identified significant growth opportunities in
several international markets, particularly Canada, Mexico, Latin America and
Asia. The Company plans to pursue these opportunities by increasing exports and
entering into strategic alliances with local manufacturers and distributors.
 
    NEW PRODUCTS AND PRODUCT LINE EXTENSIONS.  The Company plans to expand its
offering of innovative and high-quality products at competitive prices. The
Company has invested significant resources in research and development, and
management intends to continue to introduce new products and product line
extensions across all of the Company's product categories. Many of the Company's
wholesale and retail customers are seeking to expand their product offerings
while simultaneously consolidating their vendor bases. Falcon is well positioned
to capitalize on new product introductions and product line extensions due to
its low-cost production capability, existing distribution network, customer
relationships and strong brand names.
 
    DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL EXPANSION.  The Company plans to expand its
distribution network by adding additional key wholesale and retail accounts
while further penetrating those channels in which it already has strong
relationships. In addition, the Company intends to leverage its existing retail
channel relationships by cross-selling additional products into DIY and home
improvement accounts. One particular area of continued focus for the Company is
capitalization on the growing trend among homeowners and small contractors of
purchasing building products through the DIY channel from home improvement
centers and other retail outlets.
 
    STRATEGIC AND COMPLEMENTARY ACQUISITIONS.  Management believes that the
highly fragmented building products industry presents numerous opportunities to
make strategic and complementary acquisitions. The Company intends to pursue
acquisitions that complement current manufacturing and distribution capabilities
and provide the Company with opportunities to add capacity, consolidate
operations and achieve economies of scale. The Company also plans to explore
strategic acquisitions of manufacturers and distributors of highly engineered
building products which can be integrated into the Company's business strategy.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
                              THE RECAPITALIZATION
 
    On June 17, 1997, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger with FBP
Acquisition Corp. ("FBP"), a newly formed corporation organized on behalf of
INVESTCORP S.A. ("Investcorp"), certain affiliates of Investcorp and other
international investors, FBP merged with and into Falcon, with Falcon as the
surviving corporation (the "Merger" and, together with the financing
arrangements described below, the "Recapitalization"). Each outstanding share of
Falcon's Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Class A Stock")
was converted into either cash or, at the election of the holder of the Class A
Stock, the right to retain one share of Class A Stock. In addition, all
outstanding options to purchase shares of Class A Stock were redeemed for cash
consideration. In the Recapitalization, approximately 88% of the issued and
outstanding shares of Class A Stock were converted into cash. Shares of Class A
Stock representing approximately 12% of the outstanding equity capital and
voting power of the Company with a value of approximately $18.3 million, were
retained by existing stockholders, approximately $2.8 million of which was
retained by the Company's senior management. In the Recapitalization,
Investcorp, its affiliates and certain other international investors organized
by Investcorp invested approximately $134.6 million in return for approximately
88% of the capital stock of Falcon. See "The Recapitalization," "Principal
Stockholders" and "Certain Transactions."
 
    The Recapitalization was funded by (i) $175.0 million of borrowings under a
new senior credit facility (the "Credit Facility"), (ii) approximately $247.0
million from the offering of the Old Notes, the Old Discount Notes and the
Management Discount Notes (the "Original Offering"), and (iii) an equity
contribution by Investcorp, its affiliates and certain other international
investors organized by Investcorp of approximately $134.6 million. The Credit
Facility and the Original Offering are collectively referred to herein as the
Recapitalization Financings. The consummation of the Recapitalization Financings
occurred simultaneously with the Merger.
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
    For a discussion of certain matters that should be considered by prospective
investors in connection with the Exchange Offer, see "Risk Factors" beginning on
page 12.
                            ------------------------
 
    The Company is a Delaware corporation. Its principal offices are located at
Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 1100, Chicago, Illinois 60606 and its telephone
number is (312) 906-9700.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
                               THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
    SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE ISSUANCE OF THE OLD DISCOUNT NOTES, THE COMPANY
ISSUED $683,000 AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT AT MATURITY OF 10 1/2% SERIES A
SENIOR SUBORDINATED DISCOUNT NOTES TO CERTAIN MEMBERS OF ITS SENIOR MANAGEMENT
(THE "MANAGEMENT DISCOUNT NOTES"). ALTHOUGH THE TERMS OF THE MANAGEMENT DISCOUNT
NOTES ARE IDENTICAL TO THE OLD DISCOUNT NOTES, THE MANAGEMENT DISCOUNT NOTES ARE
NOT INCLUDED IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND ARE NOT, FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE EXCHANGE
OFFER AND THIS PROSPECTUS, DEEMED TO BE OLD DISCOUNT NOTES.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
Securities Offered...........  Up to $145,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 9 1/2%
                               Series B Senior Subordinated Notes Due June 15, 2007 (the
                               "Notes") and up to $169,317,000 aggregate principal amount
                               at maturity of 10 1/2% Series B Subordinated Discount Notes
                               Due June 15, 2007 (the "Discount Notes" and, together with
                               the Notes, the "Securities").
 
The Exchange Offer...........
                               The Securities are being offered in exchange for a like
                               principal amount of the Company's Old Securities. Old
                               Securities may be exchanged only in integral multiples of
                               $1,000. The issuance of the Securities is intended to
                               satisfy the obligations of the Company under the terms of
                               the Registration Rights Agreement. The Management Discount
                               Notes are not included in the Exchange Offer.
 
Tenders; Expiration Date;
  Withdrawal.................
                               The Exchange Offer will expire at 5:00 P.M., New York City
                               time on     , 1997, or such later date and time to which it
                               is extended by the Company (the "Expiration Date"). Tenders
                               of Old Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be
                               withdrawn at any time prior to the Expiration Date. In the
                               event the Company terminates the Exchange Offer and does not
                               accept for exchange any Old Securities pursuant to the
                               Exchange Offer, the Company will promptly return such Old
                               Securities to the Holders thereof.
 
Accrued Interest on the
  Notes......................
                               The Notes will bear interest from and including the date of
                               issuance of the Old Notes. Accordingly, Holders who receive
                               Notes in exchange for Old Notes will forego accrued but
                               unpaid interest on their exchanged Old Notes for the period
                               from and including the date of issuance of the Old Notes to
                               the date of exchange, but will be entitled to such interest
                               under the Notes.
 
Accreted Value of the
  Discount Notes.............
                               The Accreted Value (as defined) of the Discount Notes, when
                               issued, will equal the Accreted Value of the Old Discount
                               Notes exchanged therefor.
 
Conditions of the Exchange
  Offer......................
                               The Exchange Offer is subject to certain customary
                               conditions, any or all of which may be waived by the
                               Company. The Company currently expects that each of the
                               conditions will be satisfied and that no waivers will be
                               necessary. See "The Exchange Offer--Conditions to the
                               Exchange Offer."
 
Procedures for Tendering Old
  Securities.................
                               Each Holder wishing to accept the Exchange Offer must
                               complete and sign the Letter of Transmittal, in accordance
                               with the instructions contained therein, and submit the
                               Letter of Transmittal to the
</TABLE>
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               Exchange Agent identified below. See "The Exchange
                               Offer--Procedures for Tendering."
 
Guaranteed Delivery
  Procedures.................
                               Holders of Old Securities who wish to tender their Old
                               Securities and whose Old Securities are not immediately
                               available or who cannot deliver their Old Securities and
                               Letter of Transmittal and any other documents required by
                               the Letter of Transmittal to the Exchange Agent prior to the
                               Expiration Date, must tender their Old Securities according
                               to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in "The
                               Exchange Offer--Guaranteed Delivery Procedures."
 
Acceptance of Old Securities
  and Delivery of
  Securities.................
                               The Company will accept for exchange any and all Old
                               Securities which are properly tendered in the Exchange Offer
                               prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City time on the Expiration
                               Date. See "The Exchange Offer--Acceptance of Old Securities
                               for Exchange; Delivery of Securities."
 
Rights of Dissenting
  Holders....................
                               Holders of Old Securities do not have any appraisal or
                               dissenters' rights under the Delaware General Corporation
                               Law in connection with the Exchange Offer.
 
Exchange Agent...............
                               Harris Trust and Savings Bank; telephone (212) 701-7624. See
                               "The Exchange Offer--Exchange Agent."
 
Use of Proceeds..............
                               There will be no cash proceeds to the Company from exchanges
                               made pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
</TABLE>
 
    CONSEQUENCES OF EXCHANGING OLD SECURITIES PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
    Based on certain interpretive letters issued by the staff of the Commission
to third parties in unrelated transactions, Holders of Old Securities (other
than any holder who is an "affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of Rule
405 under the Securities Act) who exchange their Old Securities for Securities
pursuant to the Exchange Offer generally may offer such Securities for resale,
resell such Securities and otherwise transfer such Securities without compliance
with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act
provided such Securities are acquired in the ordinary course of the holder's
business and such holder has no arrangement with any person to participate in a
distribution of such Securities. Each broker-dealer that receives Securities for
its own account in exchange for Old Securities must acknowledge that it will
deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Securities. See "Plan
of Distribution." In addition, to comply with the securities laws of certain
jurisdictions, if applicable, the Securities may not be offered or sold unless
they have been registered or qualified for sale in such jurisdiction or an
exemption from registration or qualification is available and the conditions
thereto have been met. The Company has agreed, pursuant to the Registration
Rights Agreement and subject to certain specified limitations therein, to
register or qualify the Securities for offer or sale under the securities or
blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any Holder of the Securities or the Old
Securities reasonably requests in writing. If a holder of Old Securities does
not exchange such Old Securities for Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer,
such Old Securities will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer
contained in the legend thereon. In general, the Old Securities may not be
offered or sold, unless registered under the Securities Act, except pursuant to
an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the Securities Act and
applicable state securities laws. See "The Exchange Offer--Purpose of the
Exchange Offer" and "--Resales of Securities."
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
                            TERMS OF THE SECURITIES
 
    THE TERMS OF THE SECURITIES ARE IDENTICAL IN ALL MATERIAL RESPECTS TO THE
TERMS OF THE OLD SECURITIES, EXCEPT THAT THE SECURITIES ARE EXPECTED TO BE
FREELY TRANSFERABLE AS DESCRIBED UNDER "THE EXCHANGE OFFER--RESALES OF
SECURITIES."
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
THE NOTES
 
Maturity Date................
                               June 15, 2007.
 
Interest Payment Dates.......
                               June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing December
                               15, 1997.
 
Optional Redemption..........
                               The Notes will not be redeemable at the Company's option
                               prior to June 15, 2002. Thereafter, the Notes will be
                               subject to redemption at any time at the option of the
                               Company, in whole or in part, upon not less than 30, nor
                               more than 60, days notice, at the redemption prices set
                               forth herein, plus accrued and unpaid interest and
                               Liquidated Damages (as defined) thereon, if any, to the
                               applicable redemption date. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
                               prior to June 15, 2000, the Company may, on any one or more
                               occasions, redeem up to 35% of the original aggregate
                               principal amount of Notes at a redemption price of 109.5% of
                               the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid
                               interest and Liquidated Damages thereon, if any, to the
                               redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of a public
                               offering of common stock of the Company; PROVIDED that at
                               least 65% of the original aggregate principal amount of
                               Notes remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence
                               of such redemption; and PROVIDED FURTHER that such
                               redemption shall occur within 60 days of the date of the
                               closing of such public offering. See "Description of the
                               Securities--Optional Redemption."
 
THE DISCOUNT NOTES
 
Maturity Date................
                               June 15, 2007.
 
Interest Payment Dates.......
                               Cash interest will not accrue on the Discount Notes prior to
                               June 15, 2002, but the Accreted Value (as defined) will
                               accrete on a semi-annual bond equivalent basis using a
                               360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months such that the
                               Accreted Value will equal the full principal amount of the
                               Discount Notes on June 15, 2002. From and after June 15,
                               2002, cash interest on the Discount Notes will accrue at
                               10.5% per annum and will be payable in cash, semi-annually
                               on each June 15 and December 15 beginning December 15, 2002.
 
Original Issue Discount......
                               For federal income tax purposes, the Old Discount Notes were
                               issued at an original issue discount. Each holder of a
                               Discount Note must include in gross income for federal
                               income tax purposes a portion of such original issue
                               discount for each day during each taxable year on which a
                               Discount Note is held, even though cash interest does not
                               begin to accrue until June 15, 2002. As a result, holders of
                               Discount Notes will be required to include amounts in gross
                               income for federal income tax purposes before receiving cash
                               payments in respect of such amounts. See "Certain Federal
                               Income Tax Consequences."
 
Optional Redemption..........
                               The Discount Notes will not be redeemable at the Company's
                               option prior to June 15, 2002. Thereafter, the Discount
                               Notes will be subject
</TABLE>
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               to redemption at any time at the option of the Company, in
                               whole or in part, upon not less than 30, nor more than 60,
                               days notice, at the redemption prices set forth herein plus
                               accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages thereon,
                               if any, to the applicable redemption date. Notwithstanding
                               the foregoing, prior to June 15, 2000, the Company may, on
                               any one or more occasions, redeem up to 35% of the original
                               aggregate principal amount at maturity of the Discount Notes
                               at a redemption price of 110.5% of the Accreted Value
                               thereof (determined at the redemption date), plus accrued
                               and unpaid Liquidated Damages thereon, if any, to the
                               redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of a public
                               offering of common stock of the Company; PROVIDED that at
                               least 65% of the original aggregate principal amount at
                               maturity of Discount Notes remains outstanding immediately
                               after the occurrence of each such redemption; and PROVIDED,
                               FURTHER, that such redemption shall occur within 60 days of
                               the date of the closing of such public offering. See
                               "Description of the Securities--Optional Redemption."
 
THE NOTES AND THE DISCOUNT NOTES
 
Guarantees...................
                               The Company's payment obligations under the Securities will
                               be jointly and severally guaranteed on a senior subordinated
                               basis (the "Senior Subordinated Guarantees") by each of the
                               Company's current and future Restricted Subsidiaries (the
                               "Guarantors"). The Senior Subordinated Guarantees will be
                               subordinated to the guarantees of Senior Debt issued by the
                               Guarantors under the Credit Facility. See "Description of
                               the Securities--Subsidiary Guarantees."
 
Ranking......................
                               The Securities will be unsecured obligations of the Company
                               and will be subordinated in right of payment to all existing
                               and future Senior Debt of the Company. The Securities will
                               rank PARI PASSU in right of payment with all other
                               indebtedness of the Company that is subordinated to Senior
                               Debt, if any, and will rank senior to any indebtedness of
                               the Company that is subordinated to the Securities. As of
                               June 30, 1997, Falcon had $425.1 million of consolidated
                               indebtedness, of which $177.7 million was Senior Debt. See
                               "Description of the Securities--Subordination."
 
Restrictive Covenants........
                               The indenture under which the Old Notes were and the Notes
                               will be issued (the "Note Indenture") and the indenture
                               under which the Old Discount Notes and the Management
                               Discount Notes were and the Discount Notes will be issued
                               (the "Discount Note Indenture" and, together with the Note
                               Indenture, the "Indentures") contain certain covenants that,
                               among other things, limit the ability of the Company and/or
                               its Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined) to (i) incur
                               additional indebtedness, (ii) pay dividends or make certain
                               other restricted payments, (iii) make investments, (iv)
                               enter into transactions with affiliates, (v) make certain
                               asset dispositions and (vi) merge or consolidate with, or
                               transfer substantially all of its assets to, another person.
                               The Indentures also limit the ability of the Company's
                               Restricted Subsidiaries to issue Capital Stock (as defined)
                               and to create restrictions on the ability of such Restricted
                               Subsidiaries to pay dividends or make any other
                               distributions. In addition, the Company will be obligated,
                               under certain
</TABLE>
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               circumstances, to offer to repurchase the Securities with
                               the net cash proceeds of certain sales or other dispositions
                               of assets. However, all of these limitations and
                               prohibitions are subject to a number of important
                               qualifications. See "Description of the Securities--Certain
                               Covenants."
 
Absence of a Prior Public
  Market for the
  Securities.................
                               There has been no public market for the Old Securities and
                               it is not currently anticipated that an active public market
                               for the Securities will develop. The Initial Purchasers have
                               advised the Company that each of them currently intends to
                               make a market in the Securities. However, none of the
                               Initial Purchasers are obligated to do so, and any market
                               making with respect to the Securities may be discontinued at
                               any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the
                               liquidity of the trading market for the Securities following
                               the Exchange Offer.
 
Change of Control............
                               Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined), (i)
                               the Company will have the option, at any time on or prior to
                               June 15, 2002, to redeem the Notes and/or the Discount Notes
                               in whole, but not in part, at a redemption price equal to
                               100% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and
                               unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the date
                               of redemption, plus the Applicable Premium (as defined), or
                               in the case of Discount Notes, at a redemption price equal
                               to 100% of the Accreted Value on the date of redemption and
                               Liquidated Damages, if any, plus the Applicable Premium and
                               (ii) if the Company does not so redeem the Notes or Discount
                               Notes, or if a Change of Control occurs after June 15, 2002,
                               each Holder of Securities will have the right to require the
                               Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to $1,000 or an
                               integral multiple thereof) of such Holder's Securities
                               pursuant to the offer described below (the "Change of
                               Control Offer") at an offer price in cash equal to 101% of
                               the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and
                               unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages thereon, if any, to
                               the date of purchase (or, with respect to Discount Notes, if
                               such Change of Control Offer occurs prior to the Full
                               Accretion Date (as defined), 101% of the Accreted Value
                               thereof on the date of repurchase plus Liquidated Damages,
                               if any). See "Optional Redemption" and "Description of the
                               Securities--Repurchase at the Option of Holders--Change of
                               Control."
</TABLE>
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
                SUMMARY HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA
 
    The following table sets forth summary historical and pro forma consolidated
operating data, consolidated balance sheet data and other data of the Company.
The summary historical financial and other data for the five years ended
December 31, 1996 have been derived from the historical Consolidated Financial
Statements of the Company, which have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP and
which, in the case of the three most recent years, should be read in conjunction
with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes thereto
included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The summary historical unaudited
financial data at June 30, 1997 and for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and
June 30, 1997 have been derived from and should be read in conjunction with the
Company's historical unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and
related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus. In the opinion of
the Company's management, the Company's unaudited Condensed Consolidated
Financial Statements include all adjustments, consisting only of normal
recurring adjustments (except for the effects of the Recapitalization),
necessary to present fairly the data for such periods. The results for the six
months ended June 30, 1997 are not necessarily indicative of the results
expected for the year ended December 31, 1997 or for any future periods. The
unaudited pro forma statements of income reflect the Recapitalization as if it
had occurred on January 1, 1996; the unaudited pro forma statement of income for
the year ended December 31, 1996 excludes certain nonrecurring items directly
attributable to the Recapitalization. The pro forma financial data do not
purport to represent what the Company's financial position or results of
operations would actually have been had the Recapitalization in fact occurred on
the assumed date or to project the Company's financial position or results of
operations for any future date or period. The following table should also be
read in conjunction with "Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of
Income," "Selected Consolidated Financial Data" and "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                             SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                     --------------------------------------------------------------------        JUNE 30,
                                                                                              PRO FORMA    --------------------
                                       1992       1993       1994       1995       1996         1996         1996       1997
                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                  <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>            <C>        <C>
                                                                       (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
OPERATING DATA:
    Net sales......................  $   345.2  $   372.3  $   440.7  $   471.3  $   633.2    $   633.2    $   312.7  $   355.9
    Cost of sales..................      270.2      291.0      344.9      378.5      513.6        513.6        253.8      290.9
                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------       ------    ---------  ---------
    Gross earnings.................       75.0       81.3       95.8       92.8      119.6        119.6         58.9       65.0
    Selling, general and
      administrative expenses......       32.6       36.1       42.2       43.7       55.7         57.5(a)      29.5       29.9
    Securitization expense(b)......         --         --        1.9        3.3        4.1          4.1          1.9        2.1
    Recapitalization expenses(c)...         --         --         --         --         --           --           --       36.3
                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------       ------    ---------  ---------
    Operating income (loss)........       42.4       45.2       51.7       45.8       59.8         58.0         27.5       (3.3)
    Net interest expense...........       10.0        8.0        8.3       10.0       11.0         44.1          5.5        6.8
                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------       ------    ---------  ---------
    Income (loss) before income
      taxes........................       32.4       37.2       43.4       35.8       48.8         13.9         22.0      (10.1)
    Provision (benefit) for income
      taxes........................       13.7       15.1       17.5       13.7       18.8          5.4          8.5        2.2
                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------       ------    ---------  ---------
    Income (loss) before
      extraordinary item and
      cumulative effect of change
      in accounting principles.....       48.7       22.1       25.9       22.1       30.0          8.5         13.5      (12.3)
    Extraordinary item:
      Early extinguishment of debt,
        net........................         --         --         --         --         --           --           --       (1.5)
                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------       ------    ---------  ---------
    Income (loss) before cumulative
      effect of change in
      accounting principles........       18.7       22.1       25.9       22.1       30.0          8.5         13.5      (13.8)
    Cumulative effect of change in
      accounting principles,
      net(d).......................         --       (3.6)        --         --         --           --           --         --
                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------       ------    ---------  ---------
    Net income (loss)..............  $    18.7  $    18.5  $    25.9  $    22.1  $    30.0    $     8.5    $    13.5  $   (13.8)
                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------       ------    ---------  ---------
                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------       ------    ---------  ---------
OTHER DATA:
    EBITDA(e)......................  $    53.7  $    57.3  $    65.8  $    60.6  $    77.1    $    76.3    $    36.4  $    41.9
    Depreciation and
      amortization(f)..............       11.3       12.1       12.8       14.5       15.5         16.5          7.9        7.9
    Capital expenditures(g)........        8.5       10.1       19.7       16.4       20.0         20.0          8.6        6.5
    Cash interest expense..........       10.0        8.0        8.2        9.8       10.6         30.3          5.4        6.2
    Total interest expense(f)......       10.0        8.0        8.2        9.8       10.6         41.3          5.4        6.6
    Ratio of EBITDA to cash
      interest expense.............                                                                 2.5x
    Ratio of EBITDA to total
      interest expense.............                                                                 1.8x
    Ratio of earnings to fixed
      charges(h)...................                                                                 1.3x
    Deficiency of earnings to cover
      fixed charges................                                                                  --
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                       PRO FORMA      PRO FORMA
                                       6 MONTHS       12 MONTHS
                                         ENDED          ENDED
                                     JUNE 30, 1997  JUNE 30, 1997
                                     -------------  -------------
<S>                                  <C>            <C>
 
OPERATING DATA:
    Net sales......................    $   355.9      $   676.4
    Cost of sales..................        290.9          550.8
                                          ------         ------
    Gross earnings.................         65.0          125.6
    Selling, general and
      administrative expenses......         30.8(a)        57.9(a)
    Securitization expense(b)......          2.1            4.3
    Recapitalization expenses(c)...         36.3           36.3
                                          ------         ------
    Operating income (loss)........         (4.2)          27.1
    Net interest expense...........         22.1           43.8
                                          ------         ------
    Income (loss) before income
      taxes........................        (26.3)         (16.7)
    Provision (benefit) for income
      taxes........................         (4.0)          (0.4)
                                          ------         ------
    Income (loss) before
      extraordinary item and
      cumulative effect of change
      in accounting principles.....        (22.3)         (16.3)
    Extraordinary item:
      Early extinguishment of debt,
        net........................         (1.5)          (1.5)
                                          ------         ------
    Income (loss) before cumulative
      effect of change in
      accounting principles........        (23.8)         (17.8)
    Cumulative effect of change in
      accounting principles,
      net(d).......................           --             --
                                          ------         ------
    Net income (loss)..............    $   (23.8)     $   (17.8)
                                          ------         ------
                                          ------         ------
OTHER DATA:
    EBITDA(e)......................    $    41.5      $    81.8
    Depreciation and
      amortization(f)..............          8.4           16.6
    Capital expenditures(g)........          6.5           18.0
    Cash interest expense..........         14.8           29.4
    Total interest expense(f)......         20.7           41.0
    Ratio of EBITDA to cash
      interest expense.............          2.8x           2.8x
    Ratio of EBITDA to total
      interest expense.............          2.0x           2.0x
    Ratio of earnings to fixed
      charges(h)...................           --             --
    Deficiency of earnings to cover
      fixed charges................    $    26.3      $    16.7
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                             <C>
 
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                                             <C>
                                                                                                  AT JUNE 30, 1997
                                                                                                ---------------------
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                                                             <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
    Cash and cash equivalents.................................................................       $    41.7
    Total assets..............................................................................           357.9
    Total debt (including current maturities).................................................           425.1
    Total stockholders' deficit...............................................................          (188.5)(i)
</TABLE>
 
(FOOTNOTES ON FOLLOWING PAGE)
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
(FOOTNOTES TO PREVIOUS PAGE)
- ------------------------------
 
(a) Includes an estimate of incremental administrative expenses which would have
    been incurred by the Company and amortization of prepaid management fees
    totaling $1.8 million for the pro forma year ended December 31, 1996 and the
    pro forma 12 months ended June 30, 1997 and $0.9 million for the pro forma
    six months ended June 30, 1997.
 
(b) Represents expenses incurred by the Company in connection with its
    receivables securitization agreements.
 
(c) Represents expenses incurred in connection with the Recapitalization
    including those for investment banking services, transaction bonuses and
    conversion of outstanding stock options, and legal, accounting and other
    costs.
 
(d) Reflects the impact of the adoption in 1993 of Statement of Financial
    Accounting Standards No. 112 relating to post-employment benefits and
    Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109 relating to income
    taxes.
 
(e) EBITDA represents income before interest expense and income taxes excluding
    the following charges: (i) depreciation and amortization expense; (ii) costs
    associated with Ultravent-Registered Trademark- as follows: $1.3 million,
    $0.3 million and $1.8 million in 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively, $1.0
    million for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1997 and the pro forma
    six months ended June 30, 1997, and $1.8 million for the pro forma year
    ended December 31, 1996 and the pro forma twelve months ended June 30, 1997
    (See "Business--Legal Proceedings"); and (iii) $36.3 million of
    Recapitalization expenses for the six months ended June 30, 1997, the pro
    forma six months ended June 30, 1997 and the pro forma twelve months ended
    June 30, 1997. The Company has included information concerning EBITDA
    because it is commonly used by certain investors as a measure of a company's
    ability to service and/or incur debt. However, EBITDA should not be
    considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income, cash flows or
    other consolidated income or cash flow data prepared in accordance with
    generally accepted accounting principles or as a measure of a company's
    profitability or liquidity.
 
(f) Excludes amortization of debt issuance costs.
 
(g) Management estimates that approximately $8.0 million to $10.0 million of the
    amount expended for each of the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996
    has been for the renewal and replacement of existing facilities and
    equipment.
 
(h) For the purpose of determining the ratio of earnings to fixed charges,
    earnings consist of income before income taxes and fixed charges. Fixed
    charges consist of interest expense, amortization of deferred debt issuance
    costs and the interest portion of the Company's rent expense.
 
(i) The stockholders' deficit at June 30, 1997 was the result of the
    Recapitalization and the recording of related expenses, net of income tax
    benefits. In connection with the Recapitalization, Investcorp, certain
    affiliates and a group of international investors organized by Investcorp
    made an equity investment of approximately $134.6 million, representing
    approximately 88% of the outstanding capital stock and voting power of the
    Company.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
    PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF THE SECURITIES SHOULD CONSIDER CAREFULLY THE
FOLLOWING RISK FACTORS, AS WELL AS THE OTHER INFORMATION SET FORTH ELSEWHERE IN
THIS PROSPECTUS. THIS PROSPECTUS CONTAINS, IN ADDITION TO HISTORICAL
INFORMATION, FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS THAT INCLUDE RISKS AND OTHER
UNCERTAINTIES. THE COMPANY'S ACTUAL RESULTS MAY DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE
ANTICIPATED IN THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. FACTORS THAT MIGHT CAUSE SUCH A
DIFFERENCE INCLUDE THOSE DISCUSSED BELOW, AS WELL AS GENERAL ECONOMIC AND
BUSINESS CONDITIONS, COMPETITION AND OTHER FACTORS DISCUSSED ELSEWHERE IN THIS
PROSPECTUS. ALL FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE COMPANY OR
PERSONS ACTING ON ITS BEHALF ARE EXPRESSLY QUALIFIED IN THEIR ENTIRETY BY THE
CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS SET FORTH BELOW.
 
SUBSTANTIAL LEVERAGE; DEBT SERVICE OBLIGATIONS; LIQUIDITY
 
    In connection with the Recapitalization, the Company incurred a significant
amount of indebtedness. As of June 30, 1997, Falcon had $425.1 million of
consolidated indebtedness, of which $177.7 million was Senior Debt, and a
deficit of $188.5 million in stockholders' equity. Falcon may incur additional
indebtedness in connection with its business strategy of pursuing strategic
acquisitions. In addition, the Company will maintain a Receivables
Securitization Program (as defined).
 
    The Company's ability to make scheduled payments of principal of, or to pay
the interest, if any, on, or to refinance, its indebtedness (including the
Securities), or to fund planned capital expenditures and finance acquisitions
will depend on its future performance, which to a certain extent is subject to
general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other
factors that are beyond its control. Based on the current and anticipated level
of operations, management believes that cash flow from operations and available
cash, together with available borrowings under the Credit Facility and liquidity
under its Receivables Securitization Program, will be adequate to meet the
Company's anticipated future requirements for working capital, budgeted capital
expenditures, future acquisition financing and scheduled payments of principal
and interest on its indebtedness, including the Securities, for the foreseeable
future. The Company, however, may need to refinance all or a portion of the
principal of the Securities on or prior to maturity. There can be no assurance
that the Company's business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations
or that future borrowings will be available under the Credit Facility or that
sufficient liquidity will exist under the Receivables Securitization Program in
an amount sufficient to enable the Company to service its indebtedness,
including the Securities, or make anticipated capital expenditures and fund
future acquisitions. In addition, there can be no assurance that the Company
will be able to effect any refinancing on commercially reasonable terms, or at
all. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources."
 
    The degree to which the Company is leveraged could have important
consequences to Holders of the Securities, including the following: (i) the
Company's ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital
expenditures, acquisitions or general corporate purposes may be impaired; (ii) a
substantial portion of the Company's cash flow from operations must be dedicated
to the payment of interest on the Securities and its other existing
indebtedness, thereby reducing the funds available to the Company for other
purposes; (iii) the agreements governing the Company's long-term indebtedness
contain certain restrictive financial and operating covenants; (iv) certain
indebtedness under the Credit Facility is at variable rates of interest, which
could cause the Company to be vulnerable to increases in interest rates; (v) all
of the indebtedness outstanding under the Credit Facility is secured by
substantially all the assets of the Company and will become due prior to the
time the principal on the Securities will become due; (vi) future liquidity
under the Company's Receivable Securitization Program is dependent on the
historical performance of its customers under the terms of their obligations to
the Company; (vii) significant delinquencies could affect the future level of
proceeds available under the Receivable Securitization Program; (viii) the
Company is substantially more leveraged than certain of its competitors, which
might place the Company at a competitive disadvantage; (ix) the Company may be
hindered in its ability to adjust rapidly to changing market conditions; and (x)
the Company's substantial degree of leverage could make it
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
more vulnerable in the event of a downturn in general economic conditions or in
its business. In addition, the degree to which the Company is leveraged could
prevent it from repurchasing all of the Securities tendered to it upon the
occurrence of a Change of Control. See "Description of the Securities--
Repurchase at the Option of Holders--Change of Control" and "The
Recapitalization--The Credit Facility" and "--Description of the Receivables
Securitization Program."
 
SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES; ASSET ENCUMBRANCE
 
    The Securities will be subordinated to all Senior Debt, including Senior
Debt incurred after the date of the Indentures. As of June 30, 1997, the Company
had $177.7 million of Senior Debt outstanding including debt under the Credit
Facility. The Indentures permit the Company to incur indebtedness under the
$125.0 million revolving credit portion of the Credit Facility, as well as
additional Senior Debt provided certain financial or other conditions are met.
The Company's Restricted Subsidiaries have guaranteed the obligations of the
Company under the Indentures and the Securities, but such guarantees will be
subordinated to all Senior Debt of such Guarantors, which include the guarantees
of the Company's indebtedness under the Credit Facility. The Securities will be
subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future Senior Debt of the
Company and the Guarantors, including the principal, premium (if any) and
interest with respect to the Senior Debt under the Credit Facility. However, the
Indentures provide that the Company may not incur or otherwise become liable for
any indebtedness that is subordinate or junior in right of payment to any Senior
Debt and senior in any respect in right of payment to the Securities.
 
    The Company may not pay principal of, premium on (if any), or interest on
the Securities, make any deposit pursuant to defeasance provisions or repurchase
or redeem or otherwise retire any Securities (i) if any Senior Debt is not paid
when due or (ii) if any other default on Senior Debt occurs that permits the
holders of such Senior Debt to accelerate maturity of such Senior Debt, in
accordance with its terms, and the applicable Trustee receives a notice of such
default unless, in either case, the default has been cured or waived, any such
acceleration has been rescinded or such Senior Debt has been paid in full or, in
the case of any default other than a payment default, 179 days have passed since
the default notice is given. Upon any payment or distribution of the assets of
the Company or any Guarantor in connection with a total or partial liquidation
or dissolution or reorganization of or similar proceeding relating to the
Company or such Guarantor, the holders of Senior Debt will be entitled to
receive payment in full before the holders of the Securities are entitled to
receive any payment (other than Permitted Junior Securities (as defined)). See
"Description of the Securities--Subordination." The Securities are also
unsecured and thus, in effect, will rank junior to any secured indebtedness of
the Company or the Guarantors. The indebtedness outstanding under the Credit
Facility is collateralized by liens on substantially all of the assets of the
Company.
 
    In addition, under certain circumstances, the Senior Subordinated Guarantee
provided by any Subsidiary of the Company could be set aside under fraudulent
conveyance or similar laws. See "-- Fraudulent Conveyance; Preferential
Transfer." In any such case, the Securities would be effectively subordinate to
all liabilities of such Subsidiary, including trade debt.
 
ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT CONSEQUENCES
 
    The Old Discount Notes were issued at a substantial discount from their
principal amount. Consequently, the Holders of the Discount Notes generally will
be required to include amounts in gross income for federal income tax purposes
in advance of receipt of any cash payment on the Discount Notes to which the
income is attributable. See "Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations" for a
more detailed discussion of the federal income tax consequences to the holders
of the Discount Notes of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Discount
Notes.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
    If a bankruptcy case is commenced by or against the Company under the United
States Bankruptcy Code (the "Bankruptcy Code") after the issuance of the
Discount Notes, the claim of a Holder of Discount Notes with respect to the
principal amount thereof will likely be limited to an amount equal to the sum of
the Accreted Value (as defined in the Discount Note Indenture) as of the
commencement of such case.
 
RESTRICTIVE LOAN COVENANTS
 
    The Credit Facility includes certain covenants that, among other things,
restrict: (i) the making of investments, loans and advances and the paying of
dividends and other restricted payments; (ii) the incurrence of additional
indebtedness; (iii) the granting of liens, other than liens created pursuant to
the Credit Facility and certain permitted liens; (iv) mergers, consolidations,
and sales of all or a substantial part of the Company's business or property;
(v) the sale of assets; and (vi) the making of capital expenditures. The Credit
Facility also requires the Company to maintain certain financial ratios,
including interest coverage and leverage ratios. All of these restrictive
covenants may restrict the Company's ability to expand or to pursue its business
strategies. The ability of the Company to comply with these and other provisions
of the Credit Facility may be affected by changes in economic or business
conditions, results of operations or other events beyond the Company's control.
The breach of any of these covenants could result in a default under the Credit
Facility, in which case, depending on the actions taken by the lenders
thereunder or their successors or assignees, such lenders could elect to declare
all amounts borrowed under the Credit Facility, together with accrued interest,
to be due and payable, and the Company could be prohibited from making payments
with respect to the Securities until the default is cured or all Senior Debt is
paid or satisfied in full. If the Company were unable to repay such borrowings,
such lenders could proceed against their collateral. If the indebtedness under
the Credit Facility were to be accelerated, there can be no assurance that the
assets of the Company would be sufficient to repay in full such indebtedness and
the other indebtedness of the Company, including the Securities. See "The
Recapitalization--The Credit Facility" and "Description of the
Securities--Subordination."
 
CONTROL OF FALCON
 
    Shares representing approximately 88% of the voting power of Falcon are held
by a subsidiary of Investcorp and certain affiliates of Investcorp which have
entered into revocable management services or similar agreements with an
affiliate of Investcorp pursuant to which such affiliate has the authority to
direct the voting of such shares for as long as such agreements are in effect.
Accordingly, Investcorp and its affiliates control Falcon, and have the power to
elect the majority of its directors, to appoint new management and to approve
any action requiring the approval of the holders of its capital stock voting as
a single class, including adoption of most amendments to Falcon's certificate of
incorporation and approval of mergers or sales of substantially all of Falcon's
assets. The directors so elected will have the authority to make decisions
affecting the capital structure of Falcon, including the issuance of additional
capital stock, the implementation of stock repurchase programs and the
declaration of dividends.
 
    In addition, the existence of a small group of controlling stockholders of
Falcon may have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to
acquire, or of discouraging a third party from seeking to acquire, a majority of
the outstanding equity securities of Falcon. A third party would be required to
negotiate any such transaction with such stockholders and the interests of such
stockholders may be different from the interests of other Falcon stockholders.
 
    Although Investcorp and its affiliates own approximately 88% of the voting
power of Falcon, there is no current intention to engage in any transaction
which would eliminate the approximately 12% of the outstanding equity of Falcon
held by other stockholders of Falcon. While it is, therefore, highly unlikely
that such a transaction would occur in the forseeable future, no assurance can
be given that such a transaction will not occur.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
ACHIEVING BUSINESS STRATEGY; ABILITY TO COMPLETE ACQUISITIONS
 
    The Company's ability to implement its business strategy successfully is
dependent on a number of factors including competition, availability of working
capital and general economic conditions. In addition, a significant element of
the Company's business strategy is to pursue strategic acquisitions that either
expand or complement the Company's products or markets. There can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to identify and make acquisitions on
acceptable terms, that the Company will be able to obtain financing for such
acquisitions on acceptable terms or that the Company will be able successfully
to integrate such acquisitions into its existing operations. The Indentures and
the Credit Facility substantially limit the Company's ability to incur
additional debt to finance such acquisitions. See "Business--Business Strategy,"
"Description of the Securities" and "The Recapitalization--The Credit Facility."
 
COMPETITION
 
    The Company competes in each of its markets with several national and
regional suppliers of building products. Some of the Company's competitors are
larger, have greater financial resources and are less leveraged than the
Company. The Company competes on the basis of, among other things, competitive
prices, prompt availability, product differentiation, quality products and
services and a broad product offering. See "Business--Competition."
 
SENSITIVITY TO ECONOMIC CYCLES; AVAILABILITY AND PRICING OF RAW MATERIALS
 
    A significant percentage of the Company's sales of residential and
commercial building products is attributable to new residential and
nonresidential construction, which are affected by such cyclical factors as
interest rates, inflation, consumer spending habits and employment. In addition,
the Company is dependent upon raw materials and components (including, among
others, steel, mylar, clay, electric motors and aluminum) purchased from third
parties. Accordingly, the Company's results of operations and financial
condition in the past have been, and may again in the future be, adversely
affected by increases in raw material or component costs or their lack of
availability. See "Business--Industry" and "Business-- Raw Materials and
Suppliers."
 
DEPENDENCE ON KEY CUSTOMERS
 
    The Company's four largest customers accounted for approximately 35% of the
Company's 1996 net sales, including Sears, which accounted for approximately 13%
of the Company's 1996 net sales. The Company does not have contractual
agreements with any of these customers for the supply of products. The loss of
any of these customers or a significant decrease in the volume of products
supplied to any of such customers could have a material adverse effect on the
Company. See "Business--Marketing and Distribution."
 
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION AND PROCEEDINGS
 
    The Company's operations are subject to federal, state and local laws and
regulations governing, among other things, emissions to air, discharge to
waters, the generation, handling, storage, transportation, treatment and
disposal of waste and other materials and health and safety matters. The Company
believes that its operations and facilities have been and are being operated in
compliance in all material respects with applicable environmental and health and
safety laws and regulations, many of which provide for substantial fines and
criminal sanctions for violations. However, the operation of manufacturing
plants entails risks in these areas, and the Company is currently involved in
various proceedings that are expected to result in the incurrence of costs for
clean-up and other remedial activities. The Company believes that its
liabilities for these matters will not have a material adverse effect on its
financial condition, results of operations or competitive position; however,
there can be no assurance that the Company will not incur costs in the future
that will have a material adverse effect on the Company. In addition,
potentially
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
significant expenditures could be required in order to comply with evolving
environmental and health and safety laws, regulations or requirements that may
be adopted or imposed in the future. See "Business-- Environmental Matters."
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
    The Company is involved from time to time in various legal proceedings and
claims incident to the normal conduct of its business, including the
environmental matters described above. Although it is impossible to predict the
outcome of any pending legal proceeding, the Company believes that such legal
proceedings and claims, individually and in the aggregate, are either without
merit, are covered by insurance or are adequately reserved for, and will not
have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of
operations.
 
    In addition to the matters covered by the preceding paragraph, in May 1994,
Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada ("ULC") suspended its recognition of high
temperature plastic venting ("HTPV") for gas appliance systems, including the
Ultravent-Registered Trademark- product distributed by the Company. This action
resulted from reports of problems with HTPV, including improper installation,
cracking, inadequate joint adhesion, and related safety hazards, including the
potential for carbon monoxide emission. In June 1994, as a result of the ULC
action, the Ontario Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations ("MCCR")
suspended sales of HTPV in the Province of Ontario. Other provinces of Canada
have taken similar action. Pursuant to an MCCR order, appliance systems in
Ontario with HTPV have been remediated. Most gas appliance manufacturers in
Canada and the United States no longer certify HTPV for use with their products.
As a result, the Company discontinued sales of its HTPV product in 1997. Company
sales of Ultravent-Registered Trademark- products in the United States and
Canada in 1995 and 1996 were minimal.
 
    The Company is a defendant in a suit in Canada captioned ONTARIO NEW HOME
WARRANTY PROGRAM V. CHEVRON CHEMICAL CORP. ET AL--Ontario Court--General
Division--No. 22487/96, which was filed on February 27, 1996 against 24 entities
including heating appliance manufacturers, plastic vent manufacturers and
distributors, public utilities and listing agencies by the Ontario New Home
Warranty Program, which is responsible for the cost of correcting appliances
equipped with HTPV in new home construction in Ontario. This suit seeks damages
of Cdn $125 million from all of the defendants. The Company is also a defendant
in a lawsuit captioned GOODMAN MANUFACTURING COMPANY V. CHEVRON CHEMICAL CORP.
ET AL-- County Court--Harris County, Texas--No. 96-15816, in which the Company
has been sued along with two other defendants for reimbursement of costs
associated with the plaintiff's HTPV corrective action program. In a lawsuit
captioned RHEEM CORP. ET AL V. GENERAL ELECTRIC CO.--Superior Court--Suffolk
County, Massachusetts--No. 97-1709-B, filed March 31, 1997, the Company and two
other defendants have been sued by seven furnace manufacturers which are seeking
reimbursement for costs incurred and declaratory relief for costs expected to be
incurred as a result of corrective action programs to be conducted in connection
with furnace systems vented with HTPV. On April 1, 1997, the Company filed its
own legal action captioned HART & COOLEY, INC. V. AMANA REFRIGERATION,
INC.--Circuit Court--Ottawa County, Michigan--No. 97-27729-NP against all
identifiable appliance manufacturers that certified HTPV for use with their
appliance systems, including the plaintiffs in the Texas and Massachusetts
actions. In its suit, the Company is seeking damages for costs it has incurred
and declaratory relief for costs that may be incurred in the future as a result
of the conduct of appliance manufacturers that certified their products for use
with HTPV. The Company has also been named in a class action lawsuit regarding
HTPV captioned ENGEL V. CHEVRON CHEMICAL CORP. ET AL--Circuit Court--Rutherford
County, Tennessee--No. 37715, filed January 9, 1997. In this case, the Company
is a defendant along with its principal competitor in the HTPV business, a resin
supplier and a furnace manufacturer that has been joined as a representative of
a defendant class consisting of all appliance manufacturers. The plaintiffs seek
damages on behalf of all persons in the United States with appliance systems
that are vented with HTPV.
 
    The Company is engaged in ongoing discussions with the United States
Consumer Product Safety Commission ("CPSC"), which has been advised of the ULC
action and the actions taken by the MCCR.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
The CPSC continues to investigate HTPV and has met with all of the manufacturers
of HTPV, various appliance manufacturers and other entities with technical
expertise. The CPSC's concerns focus on the heating appliance system, the
plastic resin used to manufacture the venting and improper installation. While
no definitive action has been decided upon, the Company is aware that the CPSC
is considering a corrective action program involving HTPV that would impact
heating appliance manufacturers, plastic resin manufacturers and HTPV
manufacturers and distributors, including the Company. However, certain
appliance manufacturers, the plastic resin manufacturer and the HTPV
manufacturers and distributors, including the Company, are currently
participating in a non-binding facilitative mediation process which seeks to
develop and implement a voluntary HTPV corrective action program. The CPSC has
indicated that it will delay initiating proceedings mandating a corrective
action program while these parties are involved in this mediation process. It is
not possible at this time to predict the outcome of the mediation.
 
    With respect to these matters, the Company, on September 16, 1996, filed an
action in state court in Illinois against certain insurance carriers captioned
HART & COOLEY, INC. V. NATIONAL UNION FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY OF PITTSBURGH, PA
ET AL--Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois--No. 96-CH-9947. The Company is
seeking a declaratory judgment, damages for breach of contract and specific
relief requiring the insurance carriers, pursuant to the terms of the Company's
insurance policies, to defend and reimburse the Company for costs and legal
expenses arising from Ultravent-related claims. The amount at issue cannot be
determined at this time. The insurance carriers have denied coverage on a number
of grounds, including (i) that there has been no property damage, bodily injury
or occurrence, as those terms are defined in the insurance policies, (ii) that
various exclusions in the insurance policies apply with respect to damage to the
Company's own products, the failure of its products to perform, and product
recalls, (iii) that the Company knew or should have known of the existence of
alleged problems with Ultravent and (iv) that other insurance which should be
called on prior to the policies of these insurers is available. The insurance
carriers have filed motions to dismiss the Company's lawsuit.
 
    While it is impossible at this time to give a firm estimate of the ultimate
cost to the Company, management currently believes that the after-tax cost to
the Company of resolving the Ultravent matters, discussed above, should range
from a non-material amount to $20.0 million, after considering numerous factors
including, in certain scenarios, the possibility of third-party reimbursements
and insurance recoveries. It is possible that, in the event that a number of the
factors referenced above were resolved adversely to the Company and no
third-party reimbursements or insurance recoveries were received, the upper
limit of such range would be exceeded. While no assurance can be given, the
Company believes at this time that the ultimate resolution of these matters will
not have a material effect on the Company's financial condition, but may have a
material effect on future results of operations in the period recognized.
 
POTENTIAL INABILITY TO FUND A CHANGE OF CONTROL OFFER
 
    A Change of Control would require the Company to refinance substantial
amounts of indebtedness. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, when the
Securities are called for redemption, (i) the holders of the Notes would be
entitled to require the Company to purchase the Notes at a purchase price equal
to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if
any, to the repurchase date and (ii) the holders of the Discount Notes would be
entitled to require the Company to purchase the Discount Notes at a purchase
price equal to 101% of the Accreted Value thereof at the repurchase date plus,
in the case of any purchase after the Full Accretion Date, accrued and unpaid
interest to the repurchase date. However, the Credit Facility prohibits the
purchase of the Securities by the Company in the event of a Change of Control,
unless and until such time as the indebtedness under the Credit Facility is
repaid in full. The Company's failure to purchase the Securities would result in
a default under the Indentures, the Credit Facility and the Receivables
Securitization Program. The inability to repay the indebtedness under the Credit
Facility, if accelerated, would also constitute an event of default under the
Indentures, which could have adverse consequences to the Company and the holders
of the Securities. In the event of a Change of Control, there can be no
assurance that the Company would have sufficient assets
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
to satisfy all of its obligations under the Credit Facility and the Securities
or to replace the liquidity provided through the Receivables Securitization
Program. See "The Recapitalization" and "Description of the
Securities--Repurchase at the Option of Holders--Change of Control."
 
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL
 
    The Company believes that its success is largely dependent upon the
abilities and experience of its senior management team. The loss of the services
of one or more of these senior executives without a suitable replacement could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and future operations.
The Company does not maintain key man life insurance with respect to any of its
executive officers. See "Management--Executive Compensation--Compensation
Related to the Recapitalization."
 
FRAUDULENT CONVEYANCE; PREFERENTIAL TRANSFER
 
    If the court in a lawsuit brought by an unpaid creditor or representative of
creditors, such as a trustee in bankruptcy or the Company or any Guarantor as a
debtor-in-possession, were to find under relevant federal and state fraudulent
conveyance statutes that the Company or any Guarantor did not receive fair
consideration or reasonably equivalent value for incurring the indebtedness
represented by the Securities or its Senior Subordinated Guarantees, and that,
at the time of such incurrence, the Company or such Guarantor (i) was insolvent,
(ii) was rendered insolvent by reason of such incurrence or grant, (iii) was
engaged in a business or transaction for which the assets remaining with the
Company or such Guarantor constituted unreasonably small capital or (iv)
intended to incur, or believed that it would incur, debts beyond its ability to
pay such debts as they matured, such court, subject to applicable statutes of
limitation, could avoid the Company's obligations under the Securities or the
Guarantor's obligations under the Senior Subordinated Guarantees, subordinate
the Securities or the Senior Subordinated Guarantees to other indebtedness of
the Company or the Guarantors or take other action detrimental to the holders of
the Securities.
 
    The measure of insolvency for these purposes will vary depending upon the
law of the jurisdiction being applied. Generally, however, a company will be
considered insolvent for these purposes if the sum of that company's debts is
greater than all that company's property at a fair valuation, or if the present
fair salable value of that company's assets is less than the amount that will be
required to pay its probable liability on its existing debts as they become
absolute and matured. Moreover, regardless of solvency, a court could avoid an
incurrence of indebtedness, including the Securities, if it determined that such
transaction was made with intent to hinder, delay or defraud creditors, or a
court could subordinate the indebtedness, including the Securities, to the
claims of all existing and future creditors on similar grounds. Based upon
financial and other information available to it, management believes the Company
was solvent at the time of the Recapitalization and continues to be solvent.
However, there can be no assurance as to what standard a court would apply in
order to determine whether the Company or the Guarantors were "insolvent."
 
    Additionally, under federal bankruptcy or applicable state insolvency law,
if certain bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings were initiated by or against the
Company or any Guarantor within 90 days after any payment by the Company or any
Guarantor with respect to the Securities or the Senior Subordinated Guarantees
or if the Company or any Guarantor anticipated becoming insolvent at the time of
such payment, all or a portion of such payment could be avoided as a
preferential transfer and the recipient of such payment could be required to
return such payment.
 
OPERATION THROUGH SUBSIDIARIES
 
    The Company conducts substantially all of its operations through its
Subsidiaries. As a result, the Company is required to rely, at least in part,
upon payment from its Subsidiaries for the funds necessary to meet its
obligations, including the payment of interest on and principal of the
Securities. The ability of the
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
Subsidiaries to make such payments will be subject to, among other things,
applicable state laws. Claims of creditors of the Company's Subsidiaries will
generally have priority as to the assets of such Subsidiaries over the claims of
the Company.
 
    Although the Senior Subordinated Guarantees provide the holders of the
Securities with a direct claim against the assets of the Guarantors, enforcement
of the Senior Subordinated Guarantees against any Guarantor would be subject to
certain "suretyship" defenses available to guarantors generally, and such
enforcement would also be subject to certain defenses available to the
Guarantors in certain circumstances. See "--Fraudulent Conveyance; Preferential
Transfer." Although the Indentures contain waivers of most "suretyship"
defenses, certain of those waivers may not be enforced by a court in a
particular case. To the extent that the Senior Subordinated Guarantees are not
enforceable, the Securities would be effectively subordinated to all liabilities
of the Guarantors, including trade payables of such Guarantors, whether or not
such liabilities otherwise constitute Senior Debt under the applicable
Indenture. In addition, the payment of dividends to the Company by its
Subsidiaries is contingent upon the earnings of those Subsidiaries and is
subject to various business considerations and, for certain Subsidiaries, the
Indentures permit restrictive loan covenants to be contained in the instruments
governing the indebtedness of such Subsidiaries, including covenants which
restrict in certain circumstances the payment of dividends and distributions and
the transfer of assets to the Company. See "The Recapitalization--The Credit
Facility," and "Description of the Securities--Dividend and Other Payment
Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries."
 
LACK OF PUBLIC MARKET; RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY
 
    There is currently no established market for the Old Securities. No
assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for the
Securities, or, in the case of non-tendering holders of Old Securities, the
trading market for the Old Securities following the Exchange Offer. If such
markets were to exist, the Securities could trade at prices that may be higher
or lower than the initial market values thereof depending on many factors,
including prevailing interest rates and the markets for similar securities. The
Exchange Offer will not be conditioned upon any minimum or maximum aggregate
principal amount of Securities being tendered for exchange. The Initial
Purchasers have advised the Company that each of them currently intends to make
a market in the Securities. However, none of the Initial Purchasers are
obligated to do so, and any market making with respect to the Securities may be
discontinued at any time without notice.
 
    The Company does not intend to apply for listing of the Securities on any
securities exchange or for quotation through the Nasdaq National Market. The
liquidity of, and trading market for, the Securities may be adversely affected
by general declines in the market for similar securities, independent of the
financial performance of, and prospects for, the Company.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
                           FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
    This Prospectus includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
various provisions of the Reform Act. All statements, other than statements of
historical facts, included in this Prospectus that address activities, events or
developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the
future, including such things as future capital expenditures (including the
amount and nature thereof), business strategy and measures to implement
strategy, competitive strengths, goals, expansion and growth of the Company's
and its subsidiaries' business and operations, plans, references to future
success and other such matters are forward-looking statements. These statements
are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of
its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and
expected future developments as well as other factors it believes are
appropriate in the circumstances. However, whether actual results and
developments will conform to the Company's expectations and predictions is
subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including the significant
considerations and risks discussed in this Prospectus; general economic, market
or business conditions; the opportunities (or lack thereof) that may be
presented to and pursued by the Company and its subsidiaries, competitive
actions by other companies; changes in laws or regulations; and other factors,
many of which are beyond the control of the Company and its subsidiaries.
Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this Prospectus are
qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that the
actual results or developments anticipated by the Company will be realized or,
even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to
or effects on the Company and its subsidiaries or their business or operations.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
    The Company will receive no proceeds from the exchange of the Securities for
the Old Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
                               THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
PURPOSE OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
    The Exchange Offer is designed to provide Holders of Old Securities with an
opportunity to acquire Securities which, unlike the Old Securities, will be
freely tradable at all times, subject to any restrictions on transfer imposed by
state "blue sky" laws and provided that the Holder is not an affiliate of the
Company within the meaning of the Securities Act and represents that the
Securities are being acquired in the ordinary course of such Holder's business
and the Holder is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in a
distribution of the Securities. The outstanding Old Securities in the aggregate
principal amount at maturity of $314.317 million were originally issued and sold
on June 17, 1997 (the "Original Issue Date") in order to provide financing for
the Recapitalization. The original sale to the Initial Purchasers was not
registered under the Securities Act in reliance upon the exemption provided by
Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and the concurrent resale of the Old
Securities to investors was not registered under the Securities Act in reliance
upon the exemption provided by Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.
The Old Securities may not be reoffered, resold or transferred other than
pursuant to a registration statement filed pursuant to the Securities Act or
unless an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is
available. Pursuant to Rule 144, Old Securities may generally be resold (a)
commencing one year after the Original Issue Date, in an amount up to, for any
three-month period, the greater of 1% of the Old Securities then outstanding or
the average weekly trading volume of the Old Securities during the four calendar
weeks immediately preceding the filing of the required notice of sale with the
Commission and (b) commencing two years after the Original Issue Date, in any
amount and otherwise without restriction by a Holder who is not, and has not
been for the preceding 90 days, an affiliate of the Company. The Old Securities
are eligible for trading in the PORTAL Market, and may be resold to certain
Qualified Institutional Buyers pursuant to Rule 144A. Certain other exemptions
may also be available under other provisions of the federal securities laws for
the resale of the Old Securities.
 
    In connection with the original issue and sale of the Old Securities, the
Company entered into a Registration Rights Agreement, pursuant to which it
agreed to file with the Commission a registration statement covering the
exchange by the Company of the Securities for the Old Securities (the "Exchange
Offer Registration Statement"). The Registration Rights Agreement provides that
(i) the Company will file the Exchange Offer Registration Statement with the
Commission on or prior to 90 days after the Original Issue Date, (ii) the
Company will use its best efforts to have the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement declared effective by the Commission on or prior to 180 days after the
Original Issue Date, (iii) unless the Exchange Offer would not be permitted by
applicable law or Commission policy, the Company will commence the Exchange
Offer and use its best efforts to issue, on or prior to 30 business days after
the date on which the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared
effective by the Commission, Securities in exchange for all Old Securities
tendered prior thereto in the Exchange Offer and (iv) if obligated to file a
shelf registration statement covering the Old Securities (a "Shelf Registration
Statement"), the Company will file the Shelf Registration Statement with the
Commission on or prior to 90 days after such filing obligation arises and use
its best efforts to cause the Shelf Registration Statement to be declared
effective by the Commission on or prior to 135 days after such obligation arises
and cause such Shelf Registration Statement to remain effective and usable for a
period of two years following the initial effectiveness thereof. If (a) the
Company fails to file any of the registration statements required by the
Registration Rights Agreement on or before the date specified for such filing,
(b) any of such registration statements is not declared effective by the
Commission on or prior to the date specified for such effectiveness, (c) the
Company fails to consummate the offer within 30 business days after the date on
which the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective, or (d)
the Shelf Registration Statement or the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is
declared effective but thereafter ceases to be effective or usable in connection
with resales of Transfer Restricted Securities (as defined below) during the
periods specified in the Registration Rights Agreement (each such event referred
to in clauses
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
(a) through (d) above a "Registration Default"), then the Company will pay
liquidated damages ("Liquidated Damages") to each Holder of Transfer Restricted
Securities, with respect to the first 90-day period immediately following the
occurrence of such Registration Default in an amount equal to $.05 per week per
$1,000 principal amount of Transfer Restrictive Securities held by such person.
The amount of the Liquidated Damages will increase by an additional $.05 per
week per $1,000 principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities with respect
to each subsequent 90-day period until all Registration Defaults have been cured
up to a maximum amount of Liquidated Damages of $.20 per week per $1,000
principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities (regardless of whether one or
more than one Registration Default is outstanding). Following the cure of all
Registration Defaults, the accrual of Liquidated Damages will cease. For
purposes of the foregoing, "Transfer Restricted Securities" means each Old
Security until (i) the date on which such Old Security has been exchanged by a
person other than a broker-dealer for a Security in the Exchange Offer, (ii) the
date on which such Old Security has been effectively registered under the
Securities Act and disposed of in accordance with the Shelf Registration
Statement, (iii) the date on which such Old Security is distributed to the
public pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, or (iv) the date on which
such Old Security is salable pursuant to Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act.
 
    The staff of the Commission has issued certain interpretive letters that
concluded, in circumstances similar to those contemplated by the Exchange Offer,
that new debt securities issued in a registered exchange for outstanding debt
securities, which new securities are intended to be substantially identical to
the securities for which they are exchanged, may be offered for resale, resold
and otherwise transferred by a holder thereof (other than (i) a broker-dealer
who purchases such securities from the issuer to resell pursuant to Rule 144A or
any other available exemption under the Securities Act or (ii) a person who is
an affiliate of the issuer within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities
Act) without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provision
of the Securities Act, PROVIDED that the new securities are acquired in the
ordinary course of such holder's business and such holder has no arrangement
with any person to participate in the distribution of the new securities.
However, a broker-dealer who holds outstanding debt securities that were
acquired for its own account as a result of market-making or other trading
activities may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the
Securities Act and must, therefore, deliver a prospectus meeting the
requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resales of the new
securities received by the broker-dealer in any such exchange. See "--Resales of
Securities." The Company has not requested or obtained an interpretive letter
from the Commission staff with respect to this Exchange Offer, and the Company
and the Holders are not entitled to rely on interpretive advice provided by the
staff to other persons, which advice was based on the facts and conditions
represented in such letters. However, the Exchange Offer is being conducted in a
manner intended to be consistent with the facts and conditions represented in
such letters. If any Holder has any arrangement or understanding with respect to
the distribution of the Securities to be acquired pursuant to the Exchange
Offer, such Holder (i) could not rely on the applicable interpretations of the
staff of the Commission and (ii) must comply with the registration and
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any
resale transaction. In addition, each broker-dealer that receives Securities for
its own account in exchange for the Old Securities, where such Old Securities
were acquired by such broker-dealers as a result of market-making activities or
other trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of such Securities. See "Plan of Distribution." By
delivering the Letter of Transmittal, a Holder tendering Old Securities for
exchange will represent and warrant to the Company that the Holder is acquiring
the Securities in the ordinary course of its business and that the Holder is not
engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of the Securities.
Any Holder using the Exchange Offer to participate in a distribution of the
Securities to be acquired in the Exchange Offer must comply with the
registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in
connection with a secondary resale transaction. Holders who do not exchange
their Old Securities pursuant to this Exchange Offer will continue to hold Old
Securities that are subject to restrictions on transfer.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
    It is expected that the Securities will be freely transferable by the
Holders thereof, subject to the limitations described in the immediately
preceding paragraph and in "--Resales of Securities." Sales of Securities
acquired in the Exchange Offer by Holders who are "affiliates" of the Company
within the meaning of the Securities Act will be subject to certain limitation
on resale under Rule 144 of the Securities Act. Such persons will only be
entitled to sell Securities in compliance with the volume limitations set forth
in Rule 144, and sales of Securities by affiliates will be subject to certain
Rule 144 requirements as to the manner of sale, notice and the availability of
current public information regarding the Company. The foregoing is a summary
only of Rule 144 as it may apply to affiliates of the Company. Any such persons
must consult their own legal counsel for advice as to any restrictions that
might apply to the resale of their Securities.
 
    The Securities otherwise will be substantially identical in all material
respects (including interest rate, maturity, security and restrictive covenants)
to the Old Securities for which they may be exchanged pursuant to this Exchange
Offer.
 
TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
    Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the
accompanying Letter of Transmittal, the Company will exchange $1,000 principal
amount of Securities for each $1,000 principal amount of its outstanding Old
Securities. Securities will be issued only in integral multiplies of $1,000 to
each tendering Holder of Old Securities whose Old Securities are accepted in the
Exchange Offer.
 
    The Notes will bear interest from and including the Original Issue Date.
Accordingly, Holders who receive Notes in exchange for Old Notes will forego
accrued but unpaid interest on their exchanged Old Notes for the period from and
including the Original Issue Date to the date of exchange, but will be entitled
to such interest under the Securities. The Accreted Value (as defined) of the
Discount Notes will accrete from and including the Original Issue Date.
Accordingly, the Accreted Value of the Discount Notes, when issued, will equal
the Accreted Value of the Old Discount Notes surrendered in exchange therefor.
 
    As of       , 1997, $314.317 million aggregate principal amount at maturity
of Old Securities were outstanding. This Prospectus, the Letter of Transmittal
and Notice of Guaranteed Delivery are being sent to all registered Holders of
Old Securities as of that date. Tendering Holders will not be required to pay
brokerage commissions or fees or, subject to the instructions in the Letter of
Transmittal, transfer taxes with respect to the exchange of Old Securities
pursuant to the Exchange Offer. The Company will pay all charges and expenses,
other than certain transfer taxes which may be imposed, in connection with the
Exchange Offer. See "--Payment of Expenses."
 
    Holders of Old Securities do not have any appraisal or dissenters' rights
under the Delaware General Corporation Law in connection with the Exchange
Offer.
 
EXPIRATION DATE; EXTENSIONS; TERMINATION
 
    The Exchange Offer will expire at 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on      ,
1997, subject to extension by the Company by notice to the Exchange Agent as
herein provided. The Company reserves the right to extend the Exchange Offer at
its discretion, in which event the term "Expiration Date" shall mean the time
and date on which the Exchange Offer as so extended shall expire. The Company
shall notify the Exchange Agent of any extension by oral or written notice and
shall mail to the registered holders of Old Securities an announcement thereof,
each prior to 9:00 A.M., New York City time, on the next business day after the
previously scheduled Expiration Date.
 
    The Company reserves the right to extend or terminate the Exchange Offer and
not accept for exchange any Old Securities if any of the events set forth below
under "--Conditions to the Exchange Offer" occur and are not waived by the
Company, by giving oral or written notice of such delay or
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
termination to the Exchange Agent. See "--Conditions to the Exchange Offer." The
rights reserved by the Company in this paragraph are in addition to the
Company's rights set forth below under the caption "--Conditions to the Exchange
Offer."
 
PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING
 
    The tender to the Company of Old Securities by a Holder thereof pursuant to
one of the procedures set forth below and the acceptance thereof by the Company
will constitute an agreement between such Holder and the Company in accordance
with the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the Letter
of Transmittal.
 
    Except as set forth below, a holder who wishes to tender Old Securities for
exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer must transmit a properly completed and
duly executed Letter of Transmittal, including all other documents required by
such Letter of Transmittal, to the Exchange Agent at the address set forth below
under "Exchange Agent" on or prior to the Expiration Date. In addition, either
(i) certificates for such Old Securities must be received by the Exchange Agent
along with the Letter of Transmittal, or (ii) a timely confirmation of a
book-entry transfer (a "Book-Entry Confirmation") of such Old Securities, if
such procedure is available, into the Exchange Agent's account at The Depository
Trust Company pursuant to the procedure of book-entry transfer described below,
must be received by the Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration Date, or (iii)
the holder must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures described below.
LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL AND OLD SECURITIES SHOULD NOT BE SENT TO THE COMPANY. WE
ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND US A PROXY.
 
    Signatures on a Letter of Transmittal must be guaranteed unless the Old
Securities tendered pursuant thereto are tendered (i) by a registered Holder of
Old Securities who has not completed the box entitled "Special Issuance and
Delivery Instructions" on the Letter of Transmittal or (ii) for the account of
any firm that is a member of a registered national securities exchange or a
member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") or a
commercial bank or trust company having an office in the United States (an
"Eligible Institution"). In the event that signatures on a Letter of Transmittal
are required to be guaranteed, such guarantee must be by an Eligible
Institution.
 
    The method of delivery of Old Securities and other documents to the Exchange
Agent is at the election and risk of the Holder, but if delivery is by mail it
is suggested that the mailing be made sufficiently in advance of the Expiration
Date to permit delivery to the Exchange Agent before the Expiration Date.
 
    If the Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than a registered
Holder of any Old Security tendered therewith, such Old Security must be
endorsed or accompanied by appropriate bond powers, in either case signed
exactly as the name of the registered Holder appears on the Old Security.
 
    If the Letter of Transmittal or any Old Securities or bond powers are signed
by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers
of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such
persons should so indicate when signing, and, unless waived by the Company,
proper evidence satisfactory to the Company of their authority to so act must be
submitted.
 
    All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of
receipt) and acceptance of tendered Old Securities will be resolved by the
Company, whose determination will be final and binding. The Company reserves the
absolute right to reject any or all tenders that are not in proper form or the
acceptance of which would, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, be
unlawful. The Company also reserves the right to waive any irregularities or
conditions of tender as to particular Old Securities. The Company's
interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including the
instructions in the Letter of Transmittal) will be final and binding. Unless
waived, any irregularities in connection with tenders must be cured within such
time as the Company shall determine. Neither the Company nor the
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
Exchange Agent shall be under any duty to give notification of defects in such
tenders or shall incur liabilities for failure to give such notification.
Tenders of Old Securities will not be deemed to have been made until such
irregularities have been cured or waived. Any Old Securities received by the
Exchange Agent that are not properly tendered and as to which the irregularities
have not been cured or waived will be returned by the Exchange Agent to the
tendering Holder, unless otherwise provided in the Letter of Transmittal, as
soon as practicable following the Expiration Date.
 
    The Company's acceptance for exchange of Old Securities tendered pursuant to
the Exchange Offer will constitute a binding agreement between the tendering
person and the Company upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the
Exchange Offer.
 
BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER
 
    The Exchange Agent will make a request to establish an account with respect
to the Old Securities at the Depository Trust Company for purposes of the
Exchange Offer within two business days after the date of this Prospectus, and
any financial institution that is a participant in the Depository Trust
Company's systems may make book-entry delivery of Old Securities by causing the
Depository Trust Company to transfer such Old Securities into the Exchange
Agent's account at the Depository Trust Company in accordance with such
Depository Trust Company's procedures for transfer. However, although delivery
of Old Securities may be effected through book-entry transfer at the Depository
Trust Company, the Letter of Transmittal or facsimile thereof with any required
signature guarantees and any other required documents must, in any case, be
transmitted to and received by the Exchange Agent at one of the addresses set
forth below under the caption "--Exchange Agent" on or prior to the Expiration
Date or the guaranteed delivery procedures described below must be complied
with.
 
GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES
 
    Holders who wish to tender their Old Securities and (i) whose Old Securities
are not immediately available, or (ii) who cannot deliver their Old Securities,
the Letter of Transmittal or any other required documents to the Exchange Agent
prior to the Expiration Date, may effect a tender if:
 
    (a) The tender is made through an Eligible Institution;
 
    (b) Prior to the Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent receives from such
Eligible Institution a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery (by facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery) setting forth the
name and address of the Holder of the Old Securities, the certificate number or
numbers of such Old Securities and the principal amount of Old Securities
tendered, stating that the tender is being made thereby and guaranteeing that,
within five New York Stock Exchange trading days after the Expiration Date, the
Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof) together with the certificate(s)
representing the Old Securities, or a Book-Entry Confirmation, as the case may
be, and any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal will be
deposited by the Eligible Institution with the Exchange Agent; and
 
    (c) Such properly completed and executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile
thereof), as well as the certificate(s) representing all tendered Old Securities
in proper form for transfer, or a Book-Entry Confirmation, as the case may be,
and all other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal are received by
the Exchange Agent within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the
Expiration Date.
 
    Upon request of the Exchange Agent, a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery (as well
as a copy of this Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal) will be sent to
Holders who wish to tender their Old Securities according to the guaranteed
delivery procedures set forth above.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
CONDITIONS TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
    Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Exchange Offer, or any extension
of the Exchange Offer, the Company will not be required to issue Securities in
respect of any properly tendered Old Securities not previously accepted, and may
terminate the Exchange Offer by oral or written notice to the Exchange Agent and
the Holders, or at its option, modify or otherwise amend the Exchange Offer, if
any material change occurs that is likely to affect the Exchange Offer,
including, but not limited to, the following:
 
    (a) there shall be instituted or threatened any action or proceeding before
any court or governmental agency challenging the Exchange Offer or otherwise
directly or indirectly relating to the Exchange Offer or otherwise affecting the
Company;
 
    (b) there shall occur any development in any pending action or proceeding
that, in the sole judgment of the Company, would or might (i) have an adverse
effect on the business of the Company, (ii) prohibit, restrict or delay
consummation of the Exchange Offer, or (iii) impair the contemplated benefits of
the Exchange Offer;
 
    (c) any statute, rule or regulation shall have been proposed or enacted, or
any action shall have been taken by any governmental authority which, in the
sole judgment of the Company, would or might (i) have an adverse effect on the
business of the Company, (ii) prohibit, restrict or delay consummation of the
Exchange Offer, or (iii) impair the contemplated benefits of the Exchange Offer;
or
 
    (d) there exists, in the sole judgment of the Company, any actual or
threatened legal impediment (including a default or prospective default under an
agreement, indenture or other instrument or obligation to which the Company is a
party or by which it is bound) to the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by the Exchange Offer.
 
    The Company expressly reserves the right to terminate the Exchange Offer and
not accept for exchange any Old Securities upon the occurrence of any of the
foregoing conditions. In addition, the Company may amend the Exchange Offer at
any time prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the Expiration Date if any
of the conditions set forth above occur. Moreover, regardless of whether any of
such conditions has occurred, the Company may amend the Exchange Offer in any
manner which, in its good faith judgment, is advantageous to the Holders.
 
    The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of the Company and may be
waived by the Company, in whole or in part, in its reasonable discretion. Any
determination made by the Company concerning an event, development or
circumstance described or referred to above will be final and binding on all
parties.
 
ACCEPTANCE OF OLD SECURITIES FOR EXCHANGE; DELIVERY OF SECURITIES
 
    Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer, the
Company will accept all Old Securities validly tendered prior to 5:00 P.M., New
York City time, on the Expiration Date. The Company will deliver Securities in
exchange for Old Securities promptly following the Expiration Date.
 
    For purposes of the Exchange Offer, the Company shall be deemed to have
accepted validly tendered Old Securities when, as and if the Company has given
oral or written notice thereof to the Exchange Agent. The Exchange Agent will
act as agent for the tendering Holders for the purpose of receiving the
Securities. Under no circumstances will interest be paid by the Company or the
Exchange Agent by reason of any delay in making such payment or delivery.
 
    If any tendered Old Securities are not accepted for exchange because of an
invalid tender, the occurrence of certain other events set forth herein or
otherwise, any such unaccepted Old Securities will be returned, at the Company's
expense, to the tendering Holder thereof as promptly as practicable after the
expiration or termination of the Exchange Offer.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS
 
    Tenders of Old Securities may be withdrawn at any time prior to the
Expiration Date.
 
    For a withdrawal to be effective, a written notice of withdrawal must be
received by the Exchange Agent at the address set forth below under "Exchange
Agent." Any such notice of withdrawal must specify the name of the person having
tendered the Old Securities to be withdrawn, identify the Old Securities to be
withdrawn (including the principal amount of such Old Securities), and (where
certificates for Old Securities have been transmitted) specify the name in which
such Old Securities are registered, if different from that of the withdrawing
Holder. If certificates for Old Securities have been delivered or otherwise
identified to the Exchange Agent, then, prior to the release of such
certificates the withdrawing Holder must also submit the serial numbers of the
particular certificates to be withdrawn and a signed notice of withdrawal with
signatures guaranteed by an Eligible Institution unless such Holder is an
Eligible Institution. If Old Securities have been tendered to the procedure for
book-entry transfer described above, any notice of withdrawal must specify the
name and number of the account at the Depository Trust Company to be credited
with the withdrawn Old Securities and otherwise comply with the procedures of
such facility. All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including
time of receipt) of such notices will be determined by the Company, whose
determination shall be final and binding on all parties. Any Old Securities so
withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly tendered for exchange for
purposes of the Exchange Offer. Any Old Securities which have been tendered for
exchange but which are not exchanged for any reason will be returned to the
Holder thereof without cost to such Holder (or, in the case of Old Securities
tendered by book-entry transfer into the Exchange Agent's account at the
Depository Trust Company pursuant to the book-entry transfer procedures
described above, such Old Securities will be credited to an account maintained
with the Depository Trust Company for the Old Securities) as soon as practicable
after withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of the Exchange Offer.
Properly withdrawn Old Securities may be retendered by following one of the
procedures described under "--Procedures for Tendering" above at any time on or
prior to the Expiration Date.
 
EXCHANGE AGENT
 
    Harris Trust and Savings Bank has been appointed as Exchange Agent for the
Exchange Offer. All correspondence in connection with the Exchange Offer and the
Letter of Transmittal should be addressed to the Exchange Agent as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                  <C>
                                        BY HAND DELIVERY OR OVERNIGHT
 BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL:                  COURIER:
   Harris Trust and Savings Bank        Harris Trust and Savings Bank
  c/o Harris Trust Company of New
               York                  c/o Harris Trust Company of New York
           P.O. Box 1010                       77 Water Street
        Wall Street Station                       4th Floor
   New York, New York 10268-1010           New York, New York 10005
</TABLE>
 
                            FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION:
                                 (212) 701-7636
 
                             CONFIRM BY TELEPHONE:
                                 (212) 701-7624
 
    Requests for additional copies of the Prospectus or the Letter of
Transmittal should be directed to the Exchange Agent.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
PAYMENT OF EXPENSES
 
    The Company has not retained any dealer-manager or similar agent in
connection with the Exchange Offer and will not make any payments to brokers,
dealers or others for soliciting acceptances of the Exchange Offer. The Company,
however, will pay reasonable and customary fees and reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses to the Exchange Agent in connection therewith. The Company will also
pay the cash expenses to be incurred in connection with the Exchange Offer,
including accounting, legal, printing, and related fees and expenses.
 
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
 
    The Securities will be recorded at the same carrying value as the Old
Securities, as reflected in the Company's accounting records on the date of the
exchange. Accordingly, no gain or loss for accounting purposes will be
recognized.
 
RESALES OF SECURITIES
 
    With respect to resales of Securities, based on certain interpretive letters
issued by the staff of the Commission to third parties, the Company believes
that a Holder of Securities (other than (i) a broker-dealer who purchases such
Securities directly from the Company to resell pursuant to Rule 144A or any
other available exemption under the Securities Act or (ii) a person who is an
affiliate of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities
Act) who exchanged Old Securities for Securities in the ordinary course of
business and who is not participating, does not intend to participate, and has
no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate, in the
distribution of the Securities, will be allowed to resell the Securities to the
public without further registration under the Securities Act and without
delivering to the purchasers of the Securities a prospectus that satisfies the
requirements of the Securities Act. However, a broker-dealer who holds Old
Securities that were acquired for its own account as a result of market making
or other trading activities may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the
meaning of the Securities Act and must, therefore, deliver a prospectus meeting
the requirements of the Securities Act. If any other Holder is deemed to be an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act or acquires Securities in
the Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing or participating in a
distribution of the Securities, such holder must comply with the registration
and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a
secondary resale transaction, unless an exemption from registration is otherwise
available. For a period of one year from the Expiration Date, the Company will
make copies of this Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, available to any
broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
    The following table sets forth the unaudited consolidated cash and cash
equivalents and the capitalization of the Company at June 30, 1997. This table
should be read in conjunction with the "Selected Consolidated Financial Data,"
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" and the Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes thereto
included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    AT JUNE 30, 1997
                                                                                   ------------------
                                                                                      (DOLLARS IN
                                                                                       MILLIONS)
<S>                                                                                <C>
Cash and cash equivalents........................................................      $     41.7
                                                                                          -------
                                                                                          -------
Long-term debt (including current portion):
  Credit Facility:
    Revolving credit facility(a).................................................      $       --
    Term loan facility...........................................................           175.0
  9 1/2% Series A Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007.............................           145.0
  10 1/2% Series A Senior Subordinated Discount Notes due 2007...................           102.4
  Other indebtedness.............................................................             2.7
                                                                                          -------
      Total long-term debt.......................................................           425.1
Total stockholders' deficit......................................................          (188.5)(b)
                                                                                          -------
      Total capitalization.......................................................      $    236.6
                                                                                          -------
                                                                                          -------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(a) Permits maximum borrowings of $125.0 million.
 
(b) The stockholders' deficit at June 30, 1997 was the result of the
    Recapitalization and the recording of related expenses, net of income tax
    benefits. In connection with the Recapitalization, Investcorp, certain
    affiliates and other international investors organized by Investcorp made an
    equity investment of approximately $134.6 million, representing
    approximately 88% of the outstanding capital stock and voting power of the
    Company.
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
             UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
    The following unaudited pro forma consolidated statements of income (the
"Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Income") have been derived by
the application of pro forma adjustments to the Consolidated Financial
Statements included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The Unaudited Pro Forma
Consolidated Statements of Income for the periods presented give effect to the
Recapitalization, as if such transactions were consummated as of January 1,
1996. The adjustments are described in the accompanying notes thereto. The
Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Income should not be considered
indicative of actual results that would have been achieved had the
Recapitalization been consummated on January 1, 1996 and do not purport to
indicate results of operations as of any future date or for any future period.
The Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Income should be read in
conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes
thereto and the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the
notes thereto which appear elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
    No pro forma balance sheet has been presented as the Recapitalization is
reflected in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30,
1997 included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
              UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
 
                      FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
                      (IN MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        RECAPITALIZATION
                                                                           HISTORICAL     ADJUSTMENTS     PRO FORMA
                                                                           -----------  ---------------  -----------
<S>                                                                        <C>          <C>              <C>
Net sales................................................................   $   633.2      $      --      $   633.2
Cost of sales............................................................       513.6             --          513.6
                                                                           -----------        ------     -----------
Gross earnings...........................................................       119.6             --          119.6
Selling, general and administrative expenses.............................        55.7            1.8(a)        57.5
Securitization expense...................................................         4.1             --            4.1
                                                                           -----------        ------     -----------
Operating income.........................................................        59.8           (1.8)          58.0
Net interest expense.....................................................        11.0           33.1(b)        44.1
                                                                           -----------        ------     -----------
Income before income taxes...............................................        48.8          (34.9)          13.9
Provision for income taxes...............................................        18.8          (13.4)(c)        5.4
                                                                           -----------        ------     -----------
Net income...............................................................   $    30.0      $   (21.5)     $     8.5
                                                                           -----------        ------     -----------
                                                                           -----------        ------     -----------
Weighted average shares outstanding......................................        20.1                           8.6
                                                                           -----------                   -----------
                                                                           -----------                   -----------
Earnings per share.......................................................   $    1.50                     $    0.99
                                                                           -----------                   -----------
                                                                           -----------                   -----------
OTHER DATA:
  EBITDA (d).............................................................   $    77.1      $    (0.8)     $    76.3
</TABLE>
 
      See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Income.
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
              UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
 
                     FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997
 
                      (IN MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        RECAPITALIZATION
                                                                           HISTORICAL     ADJUSTMENTS     PRO FORMA
                                                                           -----------  ---------------  -----------
<S>                                                                        <C>          <C>              <C>
Net sales................................................................   $   355.9      $      --      $   355.9
Cost of sales............................................................       290.9             --          290.9
                                                                           -----------        ------     -----------
Gross earnings...........................................................        65.0             --           65.0
Selling, general and administrative expenses.............................        29.9            0.9(a)        30.8
Securitization expense...................................................         2.1             --            2.1
Recapitalization expenses................................................        36.3             --           36.3
                                                                           -----------        ------     -----------
Operating loss...........................................................        (3.3)          (0.9)          (4.2)
Net interest expense.....................................................         6.8           15.3(b)        22.1
                                                                           -----------        ------     -----------
Loss before income taxes.................................................       (10.1)         (16.2)         (26.3)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes.....................................         2.2           (6.2)(c)       (4.0)
                                                                           -----------        ------     -----------
Loss before extraordinary item...........................................       (12.3)         (10.0)         (22.3)
Extraordinary item:
  Early extinguishment of debt, net......................................        (1.5)            --           (1.5)
                                                                           -----------        ------     -----------
Net loss.................................................................   $   (13.8)     $   (10.0)     $   (23.8)
                                                                           -----------        ------     -----------
                                                                           -----------        ------     -----------
Weighted average shares outstanding......................................        19.2                           8.6
                                                                           -----------                   -----------
                                                                           -----------                   -----------
Loss per share:..........................................................
  Loss before extraordinary item.........................................   $   (0.64)                    $   (2.59)
  Extraordinary item.....................................................       (0.08)                        (0.17)
                                                                           -----------                   -----------
  Net loss...............................................................   $   (0.72)                    $   (2.76)
                                                                           -----------                   -----------
                                                                           -----------                   -----------
OTHER DATA:
  EBITDA (d).............................................................   $    41.9      $    (0.4)     $    41.5
</TABLE>
 
      See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Income.
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
              UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
 
                     FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997
 
                      (IN MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        RECAPITALIZATION
                                                                           HISTORICAL     ADJUSTMENTS     PRO FORMA
                                                                           -----------  ---------------  -----------
<S>                                                                        <C>          <C>              <C>
Net sales................................................................   $   676.4      $      --      $   676.4
Cost of sales............................................................       550.8             --          550.8
                                                                           -----------        ------     -----------
Gross earnings...........................................................       125.6             --          125.6
Selling, general and administrative expenses.............................        56.1            1.8(a)        57.9
Securitization expense...................................................         4.3             --            4.3
Recapitalization expenses................................................        36.3             --           36.3
                                                                           -----------        ------     -----------
Operating income.........................................................        28.9           (1.8)          27.1
Net interest expense.....................................................        12.2           31.6(b)        43.8
                                                                           -----------        ------     -----------
Income (loss) before income taxes........................................        16.7          (33.4)        (16.7)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes.....................................        12.5          (12.9)(c)      (0.4)
                                                                           -----------        ------     -----------
Income (loss) before extraordinary item..................................         4.2          (20.5)        (16.3)
Extraordinary item:
  Early extinguishment of debt, net......................................        (1.5)            --          (1.5)
                                                                           -----------        ------     -----------
  Net income (loss)......................................................   $     2.7      $   (20.5)     $  (17.8)
                                                                           -----------        ------     -----------
                                                                           -----------        ------     -----------
 
Weighted average shares outstanding......................................        19.7                           8.6
                                                                           -----------                   -----------
                                                                           -----------                   -----------
Earnings (loss) per share:
  Income (loss) before extraordinary item................................   $    0.21                     $  (1.90)
  Extraordinary item.....................................................       (0.08)                       (0.17)
                                                                           -----------                   -----------
  Net income (loss)......................................................   $    0.14                     $  (2.07)
                                                                           -----------                   -----------
                                                                           -----------                   -----------
OTHER DATA:
  EBITDA (d).............................................................   $    82.6      $    (0.8)     $    81.8
</TABLE>
 
      See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Income.
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
         NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
                             (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
 
    The Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Income for the year ended
December 31, 1996, the six months ended June 30, 1997 and the 12 months ended
June 30, 1997 reflect the Recapitalization as if it had occurred on January 1,
1996; the Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Income for the year
ended December 31, 1996 excludes certain nonrecurring items directly
attributable to the Recapitalization. The pro forma adjustments are based on
available information and certain assumptions that management believes are
reasonable.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       SIX MONTHS      12 MONTHS
                                                                      YEAR ENDED          ENDED          ENDED
                                                                   DECEMBER 31, 1996  JUNE 30, 1997  JUNE 30, 1997
                                                                   -----------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                                                <C>                <C>            <C>
(a) Reflects the following:
 
      Incremental administrative expenses anticipated to be
        incurred by the Company..................................      $     0.8        $     0.4      $     0.8
      Amortization of prepaid management fees....................            1.0              0.5            1.0
                                                                          ------           ------         ------
                                                                       $     1.8        $     0.9      $     1.8
                                                                          ------           ------         ------
                                                                          ------           ------         ------
(b) Reflects the following:
 
      Elimination of historical net interest expense including
        amortization of debt issuance costs of $0.6, $0.8 and
        $1.1 million, respectively...............................      $   (11.0)       $    (6.8)     $   (12.2)
      Interest resulting from borrowings under the $125.0 million
        revolving credit facility under the Credit Facility
        (8.1%, 8.1% and 8.0%, respectively)......................            1.4              0.4            0.7
      Interest resulting from $175.0 million term loan under the
        Credit Facility (8.6%, 8.6% and 8.5%, respectively)......           15.1              7.5           14.9
      Interest resulting from $145.0 million of debt issued under
        the Note Indenture.......................................           13.8              6.9           13.8
      Interest resulting from $102.0 million of gross proceeds
        related to debt issued under the Discount Note
        Indenture................................................           11.0              5.9           11.6
      Amortization of debt issuance costs associated with the
        Credit Facility, the debt issued under the Indentures,
        and extension of the Receivables Securitization
        Program..................................................            2.8              1.4            2.8
                                                                          ------           ------         ------
                                                                       $    33.1        $    15.3      $    31.6
                                                                          ------           ------         ------
                                                                          ------           ------         ------
(c) Reflects the tax effect of items (a) and (b) above at an
    assumed effective tax rate of 38.5%..........................      $    13.4        $     6.2      $    12.9
                                                                          ------           ------         ------
                                                                          ------           ------         ------
</TABLE>
 
(d) EBITDA represents income before interest and income taxes, excluding the
    following charges: (i) depreciation and amortization expense; (ii) costs
    associated with Ultravent-Registered Trademark- of $1.8, $1.0 and $1.8
    million for the pro forma year ended December 31, 1996, six months ended
    June 30, 1997 and 12 months ended June 30, 1997, respectively; and (iii)
    $36.3 million of Recapitalization expenses for the six months ended June 30,
    1997, the pro forma six months ended June 30, 1997 and the pro forma 12
    months ended June 30, 1997.
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
   NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (CONTINUED)
 
                             (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
 
    The Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Income for the six months
and 12 months ended June 30, 1997 include the following nonrecurring items that
are directly attributable to the Recapitalization:
 
    (1) Compensation charges totaling $3.1 million for amounts paid to
       management in connection with the Recapitalization, and related income
       tax benefit of $1.2 million;
 
    (2) Estimated other charges totaling $27.7 million for expenses incurred by
       the Company in connection with the Recapitalization, and related income
       tax benefit of $4.6 million;
 
    (3) Charge of $5.2 million resulting from the conversion of outstanding
       stock options in connection with the Recapitalization, and related income
       tax benefit of $2.0 million;
 
    (4) Charge of $0.3 million associated with the accelerated vesting of
       restricted stock and related income tax benefit of $0.1 million;
 
    (5) Extraordinary item representing the write-off of $2.4 million of debt
       issuance costs on debt retired in connection with the Recapitalization,
       and related income tax benefit of $0.9 million.
 
    The Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended
December 31, 1996 excludes the items listed above.
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
                      SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 
    The following table sets forth selected consolidated operating data,
consolidated balance sheet data and other data of the Company. The selected
consolidated financial and other data for the five years ended December 31, 1996
have been derived from the historical Consolidated Financial Statements of the
Company, which have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP and which, in the case
of the balance sheet data at December 31, 1995 and December 31, 1996 and the
operating data for the three most recent years, should be read in conjunction
with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes thereto
included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The selected unaudited consolidated
financial data at June 30, 1997 and for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and
June 30, 1997 have been derived from and should be read in conjunction with the
Company's unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related
notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus. In the opinion of the
Company's management, the Company's unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring
adjustments (except for the effects of the Recapitalization), necessary to
present fairly the data for such periods. The results for the six months ended
June 30, 1997 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the
year ended December 31, 1997 or for any future periods. The following table
should also be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    SIX MONTHS
                                                                                      ENDED
                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,             JUNE 30,
                                          --------------------------------------  --------------
<S>                                       <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
                                           1992    1993    1994    1995    1996    1996    1997
                                          ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 
<CAPTION>
                                                          (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                       <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
OPERATING DATA:
    Net sales...........................  $345.2  $372.3  $440.7  $471.3  $633.2  $312.7  $355.9
    Cost of sales.......................   270.2   291.0   344.9   378.5   513.6   253.8   290.9
                                          ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
    Gross earnings......................    75.0    81.3    95.8    92.8   119.6    58.9    65.0
    Selling, general and administrative
      expenses..........................    32.6    36.1    42.2    43.7    55.7    29.5    29.9
    Securitization expense(a)...........      --      --     1.9     3.3     4.1     1.9     2.1
    Recapitalization expenses(b)........      --      --      --      --      --      --    36.3
                                          ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
    Operating income (loss).............    42.4    45.2    51.7    45.8    59.8    27.5    (3.3)
    Net interest expense................    10.0     8.0     8.3    10.0    11.0     5.5     6.8
                                          ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
    Income (loss) before income taxes...    32.4    37.2    43.4    35.8    48.8    22.0   (10.1)
    Provision for income taxes..........    13.7    15.1    17.5    13.7    18.8     8.5     2.2
                                          ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
    Income (loss) before extraordinary
      item and cumulative effect of
      change in accounting principles...    18.7    22.1    25.9    22.1    30.0    13.5   (12.3)
    Extraordinary item:
      Early extinguishment of debt,
        net.............................      --      --      --      --      --      --    (1.5)
                                          ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
    Income (loss) before cumulative
      effect of change in
      accounting principles.............    18.7    22.1    25.9    22.1    30.0    13.5   (13.8)
    Cumulative effect of change in
      accounting principles, net(c).....      --    (3.6)     --      --      --      --      --
                                          ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
    Net income (loss)...................  $ 18.7  $ 18.5  $ 25.9  $ 22.1  $ 30.0  $ 13.5  $(13.8)
                                          ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
                                          ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
OTHER DATA:
    EBITDA(d)...........................  $ 53.7  $ 57.3  $ 65.8  $ 60.6  $ 77.1  $ 36.4  $ 41.9
    Depreciation and amortization(e)....    11.3    12.1    12.8    14.5    15.5     7.9     7.9
    Capital expenditures(f).............     8.5    10.1    19.7    16.4    20.0     8.6     6.5
    Ratio of earnings to fixed
      charges(g)........................     4.2x    5.6x    6.1x    4.4x    5.2x    4.7x     --
    Deficiency of earnings to cover
      fixed charges.....................      --      --      --      --      --      --  $ 10.1
 
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
    (end of period)
    Cash and cash equivalents...........  $  0.7  $  1.5  $  2.2  $  1.1  $  3.9  $  4.3  $ 41.7
    Total assets........................   212.2   218.9   187.5   210.8   261.7   262.1   357.9
    Total debt (including current
      maturities).......................    96.2    65.6   115.2   123.6   124.3   145.9   425.1
    Total stockholders' equity
      (deficit)(h)(i)...................    55.6    73.6   (24.6)   (2.2)   27.9    11.4  (188.5)
</TABLE>
 
         See Notes to Selected Consolidated Historical Financial Data.
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
                 NOTES TO SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 
(a) Represents expenses incurred by the Company in connection with its
    Receivables Securitization Program.
 
(b) Represents expenses incurred in connection with the Recapitalization
    including those for investment banking services, transaction bonuses and
    conversion of outstanding stock options, and legal, accounting and other
    costs.
 
(c) Reflects the impact of the adoption in 1993 of Statement of Financial
    Accounting Standards No. 112 relating to post-employment benefits and
    Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109 relating to income
    taxes.
 
(d) EBITDA represents income before interest expense and income taxes excluding
    the following charges: (i) depreciation and amortization expense; (ii) costs
    associated with Ultravent-Registered Trademark- as follows: $1.3, $0.3 and
    $1.8 million in 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively, and $1.0 million in the
    six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1997; and (iii) $36.3 million of
    Recapitalization expenses for the six months ended June 30, 1997. The
    Company has included information concerning EBITDA because it is commonly
    used by certain investors as a measure of a company's ability to service
    and/or incur debt. EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a
    substitute for net income, cash flows or other consolidated income or cash
    flow data prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
    principles or as a measure of a company's profitability or liquidity.
 
(e) Excludes amortization of debt issuance costs.
 
(f) Management estimates that approximately $8.0 million to $10.0 million of the
    amount expended in each of the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996
    has been for the renewal and replacement of existing facilities and
    equipment.
 
(g) For the purpose of determining the ratio of earnings to fixed charges,
    earnings consist of income before income taxes and fixed charges. Fixed
    charges consist of interest expense, amortization of deferred debt issuance
    costs and the interest portion of the Company's rent expense.
 
(h) The stockholders' deficit at December 31, 1994 was the result of a dividend
    that was declared in May 1994 in connection with the Company's November 1994
    initial public offering.
 
(i) The stockholders' deficit at June 30, 1997 was the result of the
    Recapitalization and the recording of related expenses, net of income tax
    benefits. In connection with the Recapitalization, Investcorp, certain
    affiliates and a group of international investors organized by Investcorp
    made an equity investment of approximately $134.6 million, representing
    approximately 88% of the outstanding capital stock and voting power of the
    Company.
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
    THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE "SELECTED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA," "UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS" AND THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE COMPANY AND THE
NOTES THERETO INCLUDED ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS. THIS PROSPECTUS CONTAINS,
IN ADDITION TO HISTORICAL INFORMATION, FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS THAT INCLUDE
RISKS AND OTHER UNCERTAINTIES. THE COMPANY'S ACTUAL RESULTS MAY DIFFER
MATERIALLY FROM THOSE ANTICIPATED IN THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS.
 
GENERAL
 
    The Company has experienced strong growth, with net sales and EBITDA
increasing at CAGRs of 18.6% and 11.0%, respectively, from January 1, 1993 to
June 30, 1997. The Company's growth has been driven by strong performance in all
product categories as well as successful add-on acquisitions. Since 1994, the
Company has successfully completed seven acquisitions including Ex-Cell and
Swirlway. The most important factors influencing demand for the Company's Air
Distribution Accessories and Plumbing Fixtures are residential and commercial
new construction activity as well as residential repair and remodeling. For Air
Power Products, the growth in the DIY and home improvement retail channel is one
of the greatest factors driving demand. Accordingly, demand for the Company's
products is affected by residential housing starts and existing home sales,
commercial construction activity, the age and size of the U.S. housing stock,
and overall home improvement expenditures. The expected continuing growth of the
DIY and home improvement retail distribution channel provides the Company with
an opportunity to increase its market share as this sector continues to
experience rapid growth and consolidation among the large, well-positioned
retailers with whom the Company has strong relationships.
 
    As part of the Recapitalization, Investcorp, its affiliates and a group of
international investors organized by Investcorp made an equity investment of
approximately $134.6 million and existing shareholders retained common stock
with a value of approximately $18.3 million in the Company. In addition,
pursuant to the Recapitalization Financings, the Company completed the Original
Offering, entered into the Credit Facility and amended the Receivables
Securitization Program. The Recapitalization has been accounted for as such and,
accordingly, had no impact on the historical basis of assets and liabilities. As
a result of the Recapitalization, the Company incurred approximately $63.7
million in fees and expenses. See "Certain Transactions."
 
    The table below sets forth the Company's results of operations for the
periods indicated.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                              SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30
                         ------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------
<S>                      <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
                                   1994                       1995                       1996                      1996
                         ------------------------  --------------------------  ------------------------  ------------------------
 
<CAPTION>
                                                                  (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
                                         % OF                        % OF                      % OF                      % OF
                           AMOUNT        SALES        AMOUNT         SALES       AMOUNT        SALES       AMOUNT        SALES
                         -----------     -----     -------------     -----     -----------     -----     -----------     -----
<S>                      <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Net sales..............   $   440.7        100.0%    $   471.3         100.0%   $   633.2        100.0%   $   312.7        100.0%
Gross earnings.........        95.8         21.7          92.8          19.7        119.6         18.9         58.9         18.9
Operating income before
  Recapitalization
  expenses.............        51.7         11.7          45.8           9.7         59.8          9.4         27.5          8.8
Operating income
  (loss)...............        51.7         11.7          45.8           9.7         59.8          9.4         27.5          8.8
EBITDA.................        65.8         14.9          60.6          12.9         77.1         12.2         36.4         11.6
 
<CAPTION>
 
<S>                      <C>          <C>
                                   1997
                         ------------------------
 
                                         % OF
                           AMOUNT        SALES
                         -----------     -----
<S>                      <C>          <C>
Net sales..............   $   355.9        100.0%
Gross earnings.........        65.0         18.3
Operating income before
  Recapitalization
  expenses.............        33.0          9.3
Operating income
  (loss)...............        (3.3)        (0.9)
EBITDA.................        41.9         11.8
</TABLE>
 
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 AS COMPARED TO SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
 
    NET SALES.  Year-to-date net sales were $355.9 million, an increase of $43.2
million over 1996 comparable results. This increase was primarily due to
increased sales of pressure washers of $29.1 million,
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
as well as increased volume in other air power products of $11.3 million.
Favorable volume variances in plumbing fixtures of $2.8 million also contributed
to this increase.
 
    GROSS EARNINGS.  Gross earnings increased $6.1 million to $65.0 million over
1996 results, primarily due to the increased sales volume. Gross margin declined
from 18.9% in 1996 to 18.3% in 1997 due to increased sales of pressure washers
which yield lower margins.
 
    OPERATING INCOME.  The operating loss of $3.3 million included $36.3 million
of expenses recorded in connection with the Recapitalization. Excluding the
Recapitalization expenses, operating income was $5.5 million higher than in the
1996 period. This increase was primarily due to increased sales volume and
favorable costs associated with the purchase of raw materials, partially offset
by increased operating costs.
 
    NET INTEREST EXPENSE.  Interest expense increased from $5.5 million in 1996
to $6.8 million in 1997 due to the previously discussed change in debt structure
resulting from the Recapitalization.
 
FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AS COMPARED TO FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER
  31, 1995
 
    NET SALES.  Net sales increased $161.9 million, or 34.4%, to $633.2 million
in fiscal 1996 from $471.3 million in fiscal 1995. In January 1996, the Company
acquired Ex-Cell, a manufacturer of pressure washers. In addition, in May 1996,
the Company acquired a product line of decorative metal and wooden grilles and
registers. Excluding the impact of acquisitions, net sales increased $54.4
million. This increase was due to increased sales volume in all product
categories resulting, in part, from an increase in housing starts, as well as
market share gains. New product sales, primarily electric generators,
contributed $16.2 million to the increase. Favorable pricing in Air Distribution
Accessories was offset by strong price competition in Plumbing Fixtures.
 
    GROSS EARNINGS.  Gross earnings increased $26.8 million, or 28.9%, to $119.6
million in fiscal 1996 from $92.8 million in fiscal 1995. This increase was
primarily due to increased volume and the impact of acquisitions. Gross margin
declined to 18.9% in fiscal 1996 from 19.7% in fiscal 1995 due primarily to the
sales contributed by acquired businesses that carry lower margins and increased
sales of lower margin HVAC products.
 
    OPERATING INCOME.  Operating income increased $14.0 million, or 30.6%, to
$59.8 million in fiscal 1996 from $45.8 million in fiscal 1995. This increase
was primarily due to increased sales volume and the impact of acquisitions,
partially offset by an increase in securitization expense of $0.8 million and
increased selling, general and administrative expenses of $12.0 million. As a
percent of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses declined slightly
to 8.8% in fiscal 1996 from 9.2% in fiscal 1995.
 
    NET INTEREST EXPENSE.  Net interest expense increased $1.0 million to $11.0
million in fiscal 1996 from $10.0 million in fiscal 1995. This increase was
primarily due to the increased average monthly debt levels resulting from
acquisitions.
 
FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 AS COMPARED TO FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER
  31, 1994
 
    NET SALES.  Net sales increased $30.6 million, or 7.0%, to $471.3 million in
fiscal 1995 from $440.7 million in fiscal 1994. This increase in sales resulted
primarily from growth in existing products, new product introductions in Air
Power Products, as well as the acquisition of the acrylic whirlpool bath
business, Swirlway. Further sales growth was restricted by a general softness in
housing starts in fiscal 1995, down 7.0% from fiscal 1994 levels, and inventory
destocking programs in both the retail and the wholesale distribution channels.
These factors combined to limit the Company's flexibility, precluding additional
pricing action during the year, as competitive pressures remained strong.
 
    GROSS EARNINGS.  Gross earnings declined $3.0 million, or 3.1%, to $92.8
million in fiscal 1995 from $95.8 million in fiscal 1994. The gains recorded in
pricing, volume, new products and acquisitions were not
 
                                       39
<PAGE>
adequate to cover the raw material and component part cost inflation which the
Company encountered with respect to steel, aluminum, mylar, corrugated packaging
and electric motors. As a result of such cost inflation, gross margin decreased
to 19.7% in fiscal 1995 from 21.7% in fiscal 1994. The Company has added
additional suppliers in these, as well as certain other raw materials and
component parts categories, which has alleviated a portion of the impact of such
pricing pressures.
 
    OPERATING INCOME.  Operating income declined $5.9 million, or 11.4% to $45.8
million in fiscal 1995 from $51.7 million in fiscal 1994. Excluding
securitization expense, selling, general and administrative expenses increased
by $1.5 million. In addition, securitization expense increased $1.4 million,
reflecting the accounts receivable activity associated with the sales increases
recorded during the year. The combination of these gross earnings and operating
expense items caused operating margins to decline to 9.7% in fiscal 1995 from
11.7% in fiscal 1994.
 
    NET INTEREST EXPENSE.  Net interest expense increased $1.7 million to $10.0
million in fiscal 1995 from $8.3 million in fiscal 1994. This was a result of
the combination of increased debt levels and higher interest rates encountered
during the year.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
    The Company incurred a significant amount of indebtedness in connection with
the Recapitalization. As of June 30, 1997, the Company had approximately $425.1
million of consolidated indebtedness, including $247.4 million of indebtedness
pursuant to the Securities. The Credit Facility provides for a $175.0 million
term loan facility (the "Term Loan Facility") and for a $125.0 million revolving
credit facility (the "Revolving Facility"). The Company drew all $175.0 million
of the Term Loan Facility at the time of the Recapitalization. In connection
with the Recapitalization, the Company amended its current receivables purchase
facility to provide for a five-year receivables purchase facility (the
"Receivables Securitization Program") in an amount up to $100.0 million.
 
    The Company historically has met its working capital needs and capital
expenditure requirements primarily through a combination of operating cash flow,
and availability under its prior credit facility and the Receivables
Securitization Program. The Company anticipates satisfying its debt service
requirements and meeting its working capital and capital expenditure needs
through a combination of operating cash flow, availability under the Revolving
Facility and funds available through the Receivables Securitization Program. See
"The Recapitalization."
 
    Prior to November 1994, the Company was included in the consolidated federal
income tax returns of Great American Management and Investment, Inc. ("GAMI"),
the parent company of Eagle Industries, Inc. ("Eagle"). In addition, the Company
filed certain combined state tax returns with GAMI until the distribution of
Eagle's ownership in the Company to Equity Holdings Limited, an Illinois limited
partnership ("EHL"), in 1996. In December 1996, the Company paid GAMI $4.6
million for a final tax sharing payment for tax liabilities incurred while it
was included in GAMI's income tax returns, pursuant to the GAMI-Falcon
Disaffiliation Tax Sharing Agreement.
 
    Net cash flow from operating activities amounted to $0.1 million in the
first six months of 1997 compared to $9.8 million in the first six months of
1996. The decrease of $9.7 million was primarily due to an increase in working
capital requirements and the effect of the stand-alone securitization facility
the Company entered into in May 1996. Due to seasonal factors, the Company's
level of receivables is typically lower at the end of the fourth quarter when
compared to the other three quarters. With the increase in receivables sold in
the first six months of 1997, the net residual interest retained by the Company
in these sold receivables increased $17.7 million from December 31, 1996. This
residual interest of $19.6 million at June 30, 1997 is reflected in other
current assets in the Company's financial statements. Net cash flow from
operating activities increased $21.7 million to $41.1 million in fiscal 1996
from $19.4 million in fiscal 1995.
 
                                       40
<PAGE>
This increase was primarily due to the increase in net income and a decrease in
working capital requirements.
 
    The Company's ability to make scheduled payments of principal of, or to pay
the interest, if any, on, or to refinance, its indebtedness (including the
Securities), or to fund planned capital expenditures and finance acquisitions
will depend on its future performance, which to a certain extent is subject to
general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other
factors that are beyond its control. Based on the current and anticipated level
of operations, management believes that cash flow from operations and available
cash, together with available borrowings under the Credit Facility and liquidity
under its Receivables Securitization Program, will be adequate to meet the
Company's anticipated future requirements for working capital, budgeted capital
expenditures, acquisition financing and scheduled payments of principal and
interest on its indebtedness, including the Securities, for the foreseeable
future. There can be no assurance that the Company's business will generate
sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be available
under the Credit Facility or that sufficient liquidity will exist under the
Receivables Securitization Program to enable the Company to service its
indebtedness, including the Securities, make anticipated capital expenditures,
fund future acquisitions or, if required, refinance all or a portion of the
outstanding principal of the Securities.
 
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
 
    Capital expenditures were $19.7 million, $16.4 million and $20.0 million in
fiscal 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively. Management estimates that
approximately $8.0 million to $10.0 million of the amount expended in each of
such years has been for the renewal and replacement of existing facilities and
equipment. Thus, in an economic downturn, the Company believes it has
significant latitude to adjust the amount spent on capital expenditures without
compromising the basic needs of its operations. The Company expects to spend
approximately $24.0 million in fiscal 1997 for various capital projects,
including quality enhancement, cost improvement, regulatory compliance,
efficiency improvement, increased capacity and normal maintenance projects.
Capital expenditures attributable to environmental matters were not material in
any of these years, nor does the Company believe that such expenditures will be
material in fiscal 1997. However, there can be no assurance that the Company
will not incur capital expenditures or other costs or liabilities in the future
for environmental matters that will have a material adverse effect on the
Company. See "Business--Environmental Matters."
 
SEASONALITY, WORKING CAPITAL AND CYCLICALITY
 
    Sales of certain products of the Company are subject to seasonal variation.
Due to seasonal factors associated with the construction industry, sales of
products and working capital are typically higher during the second and third
quarters than at other times of the year. The residential and commercial
construction markets are sensitive to cyclical changes in the economy.
 
INFLATION
 
    Raw material and component part cost inflation had a material impact on
operating income in fiscal 1995. Raw material and component part costs increased
approximately $18.2 million, largely due to cost increases from its suppliers
with respect to steel, aluminum, mylar, corrugated packaging and electric
motors. The Company has added additional suppliers in these, as well as certain
other raw material and component part categories, which has alleviated a portion
of the impact of such pricing pressures. The effect of raw materials cost
inflation on operating results in fiscal 1996 was not material.
 
                                       41
<PAGE>
                                    BUSINESS
 
    The Company is a leading North American manufacturer and distributor of
highly engineered products for the residential and commercial construction and
home improvement markets. The Company markets its products through a variety of
distribution channels, such as wholesale distributors and commercial retailers,
including the growing DIY channel. The three principal categories of products
manufactured by Falcon are Air Distribution Accessories, Plumbing Fixtures and
Air Power Products. The Company has a long history in each of its product
categories, having sold products for the new construction and remodeling markets
since the early 1900s. For the twelve months ended June 30, 1997, the Company
had consolidated net sales of $676.4 million and EBITDA of $82.6 million.
 
    As a result of strong operating performance in all three of its principal
product categories as well as successful add-on acquisitions, Falcon has
experienced significant growth, with net sales and EBITDA increasing at a CAGR
of 18.6% and 11.0%, respectively, from January 1, 1993 through June 30, 1997.
Management considers key elements of Falcon's success to be its leading market
positions, established brand names, emphasis on quality and customer service,
low-cost production, reputation for innovation, strong distribution networks and
successful history of acquisitions.
 
BUSINESS STRENGTHS
 
    The Company attributes its market leadership and significant opportunities
for continued growth and increased profitability to the following competitive
strengths:
 
    MARKET LEADERSHIP WITH STRONG BRAND NAMES.  The Company holds leading market
positions and strong market shares in all of its major markets and the Company
believes it has successfully increased its market share in all three of its
principal product categories over the past three years. The Company believes
that it derives more than 75% of its sales from product lines in which the
Company holds either the number one or number two market position, as measured
in sales (except for Plumbing Fixtures where market position is measured in
units). The Company's leading brand names in each product category include Hart
& Cooley-Registered Trademark-, Metlvent-Registered Trademark- and Reliable-TM-
in Air Distribution Accessories, Mansfield-Registered Trademark- and Swirl-
way-Registered Trademark- in Plumbing Fixtures and Air
America-Registered Trademark-, Charge Air Pro-Registered Trademark-, Steel
Driver-Registered Trademark- and Ex-Cell-Registered Trademark- in Air Power
Products.
 
    EMPHASIS ON QUALITY AND CUSTOMER SERVICE.  The Company emphasizes
high-quality products and superior customer service. The Company stresses the
importance of product quality to all of its employees, incorporates high-quality
materials into its products and has implemented total quality management
initiatives at its operating locations. In recognition of the Company's
excellent value, quality and customer service, the Company has been named Vendor
of the Year by HomeBase (1996), Lowe's (1996) and Sears (1992). The Company also
received a "Partner of the Year" award from The Home Depot in 1996.
 
    LOW-COST PRODUCTION.  The Company believes that it is a low-cost producer in
each of the major markets it serves. The Company has consistently reduced costs
through the development and implementation of cost-effective product designs,
careful attention to manufacturing processes, employee involvement,
consolidation of manufacturing facilities and capital investment. The Company's
low-cost position and focus on productivity and efficiency have resulted in
sales per employee which, management believes, are high relative to the
industry. Productivity and efficiency, as measured by sales per employee, have
increased by approximately 30% since 1992. Management has identified additional
cost reductions as part of its strategic planning process.
 
    TRADITION OF NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND INTRODUCTIONS.  The Company
believes that its tradition of product innovation and the breadth of its product
offerings differentiate the Company from its competitors. The Company has
developed significant product innovations, including the first viable oil-free
compressor and the use of a "universal motor" in its line of air compressors,
which delivers superior horsepower at lower product weights. During the past two
years, the Company has introduced several new
 
                                       42
<PAGE>
products, including pressure washers, electric generators, decorative
residential registers, one-piece plumbing fixtures, pneumatic nailers and
staplers and electric and OEM compressors.
 
    WELL-ESTABLISHED DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS.  The Company has a broad and
well-established distribution network encompassing both wholesale and retail
channels throughout the United States and Canada. The Company has established
relationships with more than 1,500 wholesale distributors and with leading
consumer retailers, including mass merchants, warehouse clubs, home improvement
(DIY) centers, hardware cooperatives and farm and fleet cooperatives. The
Company's strong relationships with distributors are supported by the Company's
sales and marketing programs, tailored to suit each market and type of
distributor.
 
    HISTORY OF SUCCESSFUL ACQUISITIONS.  Since 1988, the Company has
successfully completed 13 acquisitions, enabling the Company to broaden its
product categories, expand its market coverage and extend its channels of
distribution. The Company's management has demonstrated an ability to identify
complementary acquisitions, complete them at reasonable valuations and
successfully manage their integration into the Company's operations. The Company
has used acquisitions both to expand into new markets, as with the Company's
expansion into the acrylic whirlpool market with its 1995 acquisition of
Swirlway, and to augment its position in a particular market, as with the
Company's rise to market leader in the pressure washer market with its 1996
acquisition of Ex-Cell.
 
BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
    Falcon intends to strengthen its market leadership positions and further
increase sales and EBITDA by continuing to capitalize on its current business
strengths and by implementing the following business strategies:
 
    DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARKET EXPANSION.  The Company intends to
continue to expand market share domestically, while pursuing further expansion
internationally. Management believes significant opportunities for domestic
growth exist given the fragmentation of the building products industry and the
trend by wholesalers and retailers towards consolidation of their vendor bases.
The Company also plans to extend its domestic market coverage by adding
additional DIY and home improvement customers in key regional markets.
Additionally, the Company has identified significant growth opportunities in
several international markets, particularly Canada, Mexico, Latin America and
Asia. The Company plans to pursue these opportunities by increasing exports and
entering into strategic alliances with local manufacturers and distributors.
 
    NEW PRODUCTS AND PRODUCT LINE EXTENSIONS.  The Company plans to expand its
offering of innovative and high-quality products at competitive prices. The
Company has invested significant resources in research and development, and
management intends to continue to introduce new products and product line
extensions across all of the Company's product categories. Many of the Company's
wholesale and retail customers are seeking to expand their product offerings
while simultaneously consolidating their vendor bases. Falcon is well positioned
to capitalize on new product introductions and product line extensions due to
its low-cost production capability, existing distribution network, customer
relationships and strong brand names.
 
    DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL EXPANSION.  The Company plans to expand its
distribution network by adding additional key wholesale and retail accounts,
while further penetrating those channels in which it already has strong
relationships. In addition, the Company intends to leverage its existing retail
channel relationships by cross-selling additional products into DIY and home
improvement accounts. One particular area of focus for the Company is to
continue to capitalize on the growing trend among homeowners and small
contractors of purchasing building products through the DIY channel from home
improvement centers and other retail outlets.
 
                                       43
<PAGE>
    STRATEGIC AND COMPLEMENTARY ACQUISITIONS.  Management believes that the
highly fragmented building products industry presents numerous opportunities to
make strategic and complementary acquisitions. The Company intends to pursue
acquisitions that complement current manufacturing and distribution capabilities
and provide the Company with opportunities to add capacity, consolidate
operations and achieve economies of scale. The Company also plans to explore
strategic acquisitions of manufacturers and distributors of highly engineered
building products that can be integrated into the Company's business strategy.
 
COMPANY HISTORY
 
    The Company was incorporated in January 1994 as part of a reorganization of
all entities formerly comprising the building products group of Eagle and its
affiliates. Eagle and its affiliates purchased the three principal product
categories that comprise Falcon in two separate transactions. Air Distribution
Accessories and Plumbing Fixtures, formerly divisions of the Clevepak
Corporation, were purchased by GAMI in April 1986 and subsequently contributed
to Eagle. Eagle purchased Air Power Products in February 1988. In May 1996,
Eagle's approximately 70% interest in Falcon was distributed to EHL, GAMI's
parent company. Neither Eagle nor GAMI has any continuing ownership interest in
Falcon. See "The Recapitalization."
 
    Although Falcon was organized in 1994, its principal product categories have
long histories, having sold products for the residential and commercial
construction markets since the early 1900s. The original businesses which are
now the Company's Air Distribution Accessories, Plumbing Fixtures and Air Power
Products were founded in 1901, 1925 and 1888, respectively.
 
ACQUISITION HISTORY
 
    Falcon has completed 13 successful, complementary acquisitions spanning all
three of Falcon's product categories. These acquisitions have enabled Falcon to
increase market share by broadening its product categories, expanding market
coverage and leveraging its existing national distribution networks. Falcon has
been highly successful in integrating these acquisitions into its existing
operations, realizing cost savings and synergies, thereby creating attractive
returns. The Company's acquisitions since 1988 include:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  DATE                       ACQUISITION                                   PRODUCT CATEGORY
- ---------  -----------------------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------
<C>        <S>                                              <C>
  11/96    Compressor Division-Dee Blast                    Air Power Products
  05/96    Woodwinds                                        Air Distribution Accessories
  01/96    Ex-Cell Manufacturing Company, Inc.              Air Power Products
  11/95    Cody West                                        Air Distribution Accessories
  05/95    Flexible Air Movers                              Air Distribution Accessories
  04/95    WinPower Division-Pierce Co.                     Air Power Products
  04/95    SWC Industries, Inc.                             Plumbing Fixtures
  04/91    Energair Division-Ingersoll Rand                 Air Power Products
  09/90    Norris Division-Masco                            Plumbing Fixtures
  10/89    Air Devices Division-Continental                 Air Distribution Accessories
  04/89    Norflex Division-Rachels                         Air Distribution Accessories
  12/88    Reliable Metal Products                          Air Distribution Accessories
  11/88    Kilgore Plumbing Products, Inc.                  Plumbing Fixtures
</TABLE>
 
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
 
    The building products industry consists of a large number of companies that
manufacture materials and equipment used primarily in two end markets: (i) the
repair, renovation and remodeling of existing buildings and (ii) the
construction of new buildings. Both of these end markets are further subdivided
into residential and non-residential categories, with the non-residential
category consisting of construction or
 
                                       44
<PAGE>
renovation of buildings and structures for the industrial, commercial,
government and infrastructure markets. According to the United States Department
of Commerce (the "USDC"), new construction spending in the United States totaled
$569 billion in 1996.
 
    The most important factors influencing demand for the Company's Air
Distribution Accessories and Plumbing Fixtures are new residential and
commercial construction activity as well as residential repair and remodeling.
For Air Power Products, the growth in the DIY and home improvement retail
channel is one of the greatest factors driving demand. Accordingly, demand for
the Company's products is affected by residential housing starts and existing
home sales, commercial construction activity, the age and size of the U.S.
housing stock, and overall home improvement expenditures. The expected
continuing growth of the DIY and home improvement retail distribution channel
provides the Company with an opportunity to increase share as this sector
continues to experience rapid growth and consolidation among the large, well-
positioned retailers with whom the Company has strong relationships.
 
    RENOVATION/REPAIR.  Management believes that approximately 45% of the
Company's 1996 sales were derived from spending associated with renovation and
repair activities, which encompass spending associated with renovation, repair
and remodeling activities for both residential and non-residential buildings and
structures. According to the USDC, the residential portion of the
renovation/repair category is large and fragmented, and has experienced
significant growth over the last 25 years, expanding from approximately $15
billion of expenditures in 1970 to $115 billion of expenditures in 1995,
representing a CAGR of 9%. There are a number of reasons for this growth,
including an expansion in the total number of existing homes sold as a
percentage of total home sales in the United States, an increase in the average
size of single-family homes and an increase in the average age of existing
homes. The National Association of Homebuilders (the "NAH") calculates that
existing home sales as a percentage of total U.S. housing transactions have
grown from 47% in 1970 to 69% in 1996, and that the average age of a U.S. home
increased from 23 years in 1985 to 28 years in 1993. Management believes that
the relatively high percentage of existing home sales and the increased age of
U.S. housing inventory suggest that repair and remodeling expenditures will
continue to experience significant growth as a greater proportion of such
spending occurs shortly before and after a home sale and that an increased
average home age encourages greater demand for renovation. Additionally, the
rapid expansion of building product retail chains, which have made building
products more accessible for "do-it-yourselfers," has contributed to the overall
growth in the renovation/repair category.
 
    RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION.  This category encompasses spending associated
with the construction of both single-family and multi-family residences.
Building activity in the residential construction market is often measured in
terms of housing starts, which vary with job growth, population growth and other
demographic trends, as well as the state of the economy and interest rates.
According to the NAH, housing starts in 1996 totaled 1.48 million units,
consisting of 1.16 million single family and 0.32 million multi-family housing
starts. Since 1985, single family housing starts have exceeded one million units
in all but two years (1990 and 1991), while multi-family housing starts have
averaged 350,000 units per year during the same period. Another factor driving
increased demand for building products has been an increase in the average size
of homes built in the United States. In 1996, the average single-family home
contained 1,950 square feet of space, compared to 1,385 square feet in 1970 and
1,595 square feet in 1980. According to the USDC, total spending in the United
States for new housing units in 1996 totaled approximately $176 billion, which
represented an 8% increase over 1995 levels.
 
    NON-RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION.  This category encompasses spending associated
with the construction of new buildings and structures for the commercial,
industrial, government and infrastructure markets. Commercial construction is
currently enjoying a resurgence in the United States after being depressed in
the early years of this decade. The reasons behind the weakness in commercial
construction in the early 1990s included an oversupply of space caused by
tax-driven and speculative overbuilding in the 1980s, a reduction in the
availability of bank and other financing for new building construction and a
recession which diminished demand for office and retail space. Commercial
construction activity began to rebound
 
                                       45
<PAGE>
in 1992 and continues to increase as evidenced by contracts awarded for new
office space, which grew from 85 million square feet in 1992 to 134 million
square feet in 1996 and is projected to continue to grow for the next several
years according to The Economic and Real Estate Outlook. Factors driving this
growth include a strengthening economy, increased availability of financing and
falling vacancy rates. According to The Economic and Real Estate Outlook,
vacancy rates of downtown office space are the lowest in 10 years, having
declined steadily from a high of 18% in 1992 to 14% in 1996, and are projected
to continue to decline. Suburban office space vacancy rates have declined
rapidly from a high of 24% in 1986 to a historic low of 11% in 1996. Demand for
new commercial construction is projected to remain strong as growth in office
employment continues to rebound from no growth in 1992. According to the USDC,
total spending in the United States for non-residential construction in 1996
totaled approximately $322 billion, which represented a 4% increase over 1995
levels.
 
COMPANY PRODUCTS
 
    AIR DISTRIBUTION ACCESSORIES.  The Company is a leading domestic supplier of
air distribution accessories for HVAC applications. Within the HVAC market, the
Company competes in four major product market categories including (i)
residential and light commercial registers, (ii) residential vent systems, (iii)
duct products and (iv) heavy commercial products. Management believes the
Company is one of the largest North American manufacturers of products for the
distribution of conditioned air and the venting of combustion by-products and
that the Company has a leading market position in the United States in the
residential and light commercial register market. The Company is aggressively
leveraging this market share position to increase its presence in the
residential vent systems and duct products market categories. The Company
markets its products under the Hart & Cooley-Registered Trademark-,
Metlvent-Registered Trademark-, Reliable-TM-, Tuttle &
Bailey-Registered Trademark-, Woodwinds-TM- and Valley-TM- brand names. The
Company manufactures more than 8,000 air distribution items, including metal
grilles, registers and diffusers, gas vent and chimney systems, flexible duct,
louvers, terminal units and electric duct heaters. The Company generally
produces products on a high-volume, low-cost basis. In addition, the Company
supplements its product line with custom-engineered products designed to meet
specific size or performance requirements.
 
    PLUMBING FIXTURES.  The Company is a leading domestic producer of
high-quality ceramic china bathroom fixtures, including toilets and lavatories.
The Company also produces enameled steel bathtubs and sinks, and acrylic
whirlpool tubs as well as brass and plastic trim and fittings. The Company's
Plumbing Fixtures products are largely targeted at the high-volume, medium price
point category and are primarily sold to the residential new construction and
remodeling market. The Company sells these products under the
Mansfield-Registered Trademark- and Swirl-way-Registered Trademark- brand names,
which are widely recognized among wholesale distributors and plumbing
contractors as high-quality, reasonably priced plumbing fixtures. The Company
has recently increased its kiln capacity and expanded its casting operations.
The Company believes its short lead times have enabled it to capture market
share from other producers who are less able to deliver product in a timely
fashion. Due to its long history, strong reputation with plumbers and
contractors nationwide and broad distribution network, management believes the
Company has leading market positions in its primary product categories including
ceramic china and enameled steel.
 
    AIR POWER PRODUCTS.  Within the Air Power Products market, the Company
competes in four major products market categories including (i) compressors,
(ii) pressure washers, (iii) portable generators and (iv) air tools. The Company
is the leading domestic producer of consumer and commercial air compressors for
home improvement applications and is also the leading domestic manufacturer of
pressure washers. Air compressors are used as an alternative to electricity in a
wide variety of industrial, manufacturing and general home-use applications. The
Company manufactures a broad line of air compressors in the 3/4 to 10 horsepower
range. These air compressors are electric or gasoline-driven with either
oil-lubricated or oil-free pumps and are marketed under a number of brand names,
including Air America-Registered Trademark-, Charge Air
Pro-Registered Trademark-, Pro 4000, Pro Air II-TM- and Steel
Driver-Registered Trademark-. The Company also manufactures air compressors
under private-label programs, the most significant of which is the
Craftsman-Registered Trademark- label for Sears, for which the Company is
 
                                       46
<PAGE>
the sole supplier. With the recent acquisition of Ex-Cell in January 1996, the
Company has become the leading domestic manufacturer of pressure washers and has
made significant advances in product depth, manufacturing capability and overall
market presence. In addition, the Company manufactures a line of electric
generators and sells a variety of accessory items such as paint spray guns,
nailers and staplers, pneumatic tools, sanders and air hoses for use in home
improvement applications. New products introduced in the past two years include
pressure washers, electric generators, and OEM compressors.
 
    Certain of the Company's products accounted for more than 10% of
consolidated net sales in 1994, 1995 and 1996. Such products included
residential grilles, registers and diffusers as a group, which contributed 11%,
11% and 9% to net sales in 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively; ceramic china
bathroom fixtures, which contributed 25%, 22% and 17% in 1994, 1995 and 1996,
respectively; and air compressors, which contributed 27%, 28% and 23% in 1994,
1995 and 1996, respectively. Pressure washers accounted for 13% of net sales in
1996.
 
MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION
 
    The Company markets and distributes its products nationwide through a
variety of distribution channels. Based on 1996 net sales, approximately 52% of
the Company's products are distributed to wholesalers and manufacturers'
representatives who sell to contractors serving the residential and commercial
construction markets. Approximately 48% of the Company's net sales are made to
mass merchandisers, retail chains and DIY outlets, which sell to homeowners and
contractors. Falcon has a broad and established distribution network
encompassing both wholesale and retail channels throughout the United States and
Canada.
 
    WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTION.  The Company has developed one of the most extensive
wholesale distribution networks in the building products industry. The Company
markets its residential and light commercial Air Distribution Accessories
throughout the United States through more than 750 wholesale distributors who
sell to HVAC contractors. The Company markets its ceramic china, acrylic
whirlpool baths and enameled steel bathroom fixtures and brass fittings through
more than 750 wholesale distributors through manufacturers' representatives.
These wholesale distributors sell to plumbers, building contractors and
remodelers. The Company is an important supplier to these wholesale
distributors, and management believes it typically represents between five and
ten percent of many of the leading wholesalers' total revenues. The Company
provides sales support to distributors through a direct field sales staff and a
customer service group and uses independent representatives to supplement the
field sales coverage. The Company markets its heavy commercial products
nationwide to HVAC contractors through more than 150 commercial representatives,
supported by the Company's regional sales managers and customer service group.
 
    RETAIL DISTRIBUTION.  The Company supplies an increasing amount of Air
Distribution Accessories, Plumbing Fixtures and substantially all of its Air
Power Products through the DIY and home improvement channels, which in turn sell
to consumers and contractors. These channels are comprised of mass merchants,
warehouse clubs, home centers, hardware cooperatives and farm and fleet
cooperatives, including leading retailers such as Sears, Sam's Club, Wal-Mart,
Lowe's, Price-Costco, The Home Depot and HomeBase. The Company services these
consumer channels through a direct sales staff and manufacturers'
representatives. The Company uses electronic data interchange technology with
all of its customers that possess such capability, which allows the Company to
respond quickly to shifts in the marketplace.
 
    Falcon plans to unveil a number of additional initiatives that will help to
expand retail penetration for all of its product categories. Such initiatives
include consumer-oriented marketing brochures and literature targeted at DIY and
home improvement customers. The Company plans to initiate a quick delivery, low
minimum order program for certain product categories, offering a selection of
products that are not normally inventoried by most retailers. This new special
order program, combined with new product styles, will enable retailers to place
more dependence on the Company for all their program requirements.
 
                                       47
<PAGE>
MANUFACTURING
 
    The Company has focused on being a low-cost producer in each of the markets
it serves, primarily through cost reduction initiatives at the manufacturing
level, including product design, capital investment, total quality management
and employee involvement programs. The Company has realized significant
productivity growth due to the use of new equipment, improvements in plant
layout, alignment of operations and a more flexible work environment, and
expects to continue to improve operational efficiencies, cost structure and
service capabilities through implementation of proposed expansion projects.
 
    The Company manufactures its products in thirteen primary manufacturing
facilities throughout the United States. The Company's main plant for the
manufacture of Air Distribution Accessories is located in Holland, Michigan with
four additional manufacturing and warehouse facilities located primarily in the
Midwest where steel, aluminum and mylar are fabricated into grilles, registers,
diffusers, gas venting, chimney products and flexible duct. Falcon's main plant
for the production of Plumbing Fixtures in Perrysville, Ohio produces ceramic
china and brass valve products using internally developed manufacturing
processes which generate through-put levels that management believes are among
the highest in the industry. The Kilgore, Texas and Walnut, California
facilities produce both ceramic china and enameled steel products. Acrylic
whirlpools are produced in the Henderson, Texas plant. The Company manufactures
Air Power Products in Jackson, Tennessee and Decatur, Arkansas, using the latest
manufacturing methods for the manufacture of air compressors, pressure washers
and generator products.
 
    The Company believes that its manufacturing facilities are up-to-date and,
in some cases, state-of-the-art. Falcon has invested significant capital
promoting technological developments with two specific focuses: (i) accelerating
new product introductions; and (ii) developing more cost-effective product
designs. In early 1995, Falcon installed new kilns in two of its Plumbing
Fixtures facilities which resulted in an increase of approximately 15% in
overall manufacturing capacity. To reduce labor costs and further increase
yields in its ceramic china manufacturing facilities, in 1997, Falcon plans to
install additional new refire kilns and to automate finishing and handling
tasks. In its enameled steel facilities, Falcon plans to automate certain
welding, washing and press lines. The Company has recently completed a capital
improvement project at its Decatur, Arkansas facility and is expanding its
principal Jackson, Tennessee facility. In addition, the Company has consolidated
two manufacturing facilities into the Decatur, Arkansas facility.
 
COMPETITION
 
    The Company competes in each of its markets with several national and
regional suppliers of building products. In the HVAC market, the Company
competes primarily with one other large HVAC manufacturer and with several other
national and regional suppliers of HVAC products. In the plumbing fixtures
market, the Company competes with three national manufacturers of plumbing
products as well as with several other regional producers. In the air compressor
market, the Company is the largest of the three primary suppliers of consumer
and commercial air compressors. Some of the Company's competitors are larger,
have greater financial resources and are less leveraged than the Company. The
Company competes on the basis of competitive prices, prompt availability,
product differentiation, quality products and services and a broad product
offering.
 
PATENTS, TRADEMARKS AND LICENSES
 
    The Company has been issued several patents worldwide. The Company believes
that its patents are important to its business operations; however, the Company
does not believe that the expiration or loss of any of its patents would have a
material adverse effect on the Company.
 
    The Company owns a number of trademarks, including Hart &
Cooley-Registered Trademark-, Metlvent-Registered Trademark-, Reliable-TM-,
Tuttle & Bailey-Registered Trademark-, Woodwinds-TM-, Valley-TM-,
Mansfield-Registered Trademark-, Swirl-way-Registered Trademark-, Air
America-Registered Trademark-, Charge Air Pro-Registered Trademark-,
Ex-Cell-Registered Trademark- and Pro Air II-TM-. The Company also has several
licenses for various trademarks, including a license to use the DeVilbiss
trademark. The DeVilbiss license has a 10-year term which expires in April 2000
and may be renewed for two successive 10-year periods. The Company believes that
its trademarks and its licenses are
 
                                       48
<PAGE>
important to its business operations, but does not believe that the expiration
or loss of any trademark or license would have a material adverse effect on the
Company.
 
RAW MATERIALS AND SUPPLIERS
 
    The raw materials and component parts used in the Company's operations
include steel, aluminum, clay, mylar and electric motors. Most of the Company's
purchases are sourced domestically and nearly all of the Company's purchases are
readily available through multiple sources. During 1995, a world-wide shortage
of mylar occurred, restricting availability and increasing cost. By the end of
1995, availability had improved due to the Company's shift from single source
purchasing to multisource purchasing. In the last five years, the Company has
not experienced any other shortages that materially affected production.
Purchases are typically made through blanket order releases that span a period
from several months up to one year. In 1995, the Company encountered
double-digit inflation in prices of certain basic raw materials and components
used in the manufacturing process. The total raw material and component parts
cost inflation in 1995 increased Falcon's 1995 cost of sales approximately $18.2
million. During 1996 these costs eased and, for some specific items, declined
below year-end 1995 levels.
 
BACKLOG
 
    The Company's backlog at June 30, 1996 and June 30, 1997 was $22.9 million
and $26.1 million, respectively. Historically, substantially all of the
Company's backlog has been shipped within the next month.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
    The Company had approximately 4,100 employees as of December 31, 1996.
Approximately 2,700 hourly employees are covered by seven collective bargaining
agreements expiring through 2001. The Company anticipates that it will
renegotiate and renew its union contracts as they expire and does not anticipate
any material labor disruptions as a result of renewal of any of its union
contracts. The Company believes that its labor relations are satisfactory at all
of its facilities.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
 
    The Company's operations are subject to federal, state and local laws and
regulations governing, among other things, emissions to air, discharge to
waters, the generation, handling, storage, transportation, treatment and
disposal of waste and other materials and health and safety matters. The Company
believes that its business, operations and facilities have been and are being
operated in compliance in all material respects with applicable environmental
and health and safety laws and regulations, many of which provide for
substantial fines and criminal sanctions for violations. However, the operation
of manufacturing plants entails risks in these areas, and there can be no
assurance that the Company will not incur material costs or liabilities in the
future. In addition, potentially significant expenditures could be required in
order to comply with evolving environmental and health and safety laws,
regulations or requirements that may be adopted or imposed in the future.
 
    The Company is involved in environmental proceedings initiated by state or
local governmental agencies pertaining to two of its facilities. The Company is
currently working with the appropriate agencies on a remedial plan for the
closure of an on-site landfill at the Company's Holland, Michigan facility that
is currently estimated to cost approximately $0.4 million. The Company is also
working with the appropriate agencies on a remedial plan for the closure of one
on-site and four off-site landfills at or near the Company's Perrysville, Ohio
facility, which is currently estimated to cost approximately $1.0 million. In
addition, the Company is in the process of making capital alterations at its
Perrysville, Ohio foundry in response to an environmental compliance variance.
The Company believes that its reserves are adequate and that its liabilities for
these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial
condition, annual results of operations or competitive position; however, there
can be no assurance that
 
                                       49
<PAGE>
the Company will not incur costs or liabilities in the future that will have a
material adverse effect on the Company. Capital expenditures and expenses
(including ordinary course of business hauling and disposal expenses) in 1996
attributable to environmental matters were not material in relation to the
Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
PROPERTIES
 
    The Company believes its manufacturing, warehouse and office facilities are
suitable, adequate and have sufficient manufacturing capacity for its current
requirements. The Company also believes that its facilities are being utilized
consistent with the Company's plans and have ample capacity. The Company's
principal facilities consist of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      OWNED/
                                                                                       LEASE          APPROX.
LOCATION                                              PRINCIPAL USE                 EXPIRATION     SQUARE FOOTAGE
- ----------------------------------------  --------------------------------------  ---------------  --------------
<S>                                       <C>                                     <C>              <C>
Holland, Michigan                         Office, Manufacturing                          Owned          613,000
Kilgore, Texas                            Office, Manufacturing, Warehouse               Owned          544,000
Perrysville, Ohio                         Office, Manufacturing, Warehouse               Owned          494,200
Walnut, California                        Office, Manufacturing, Warehouse               Owned          414,000
Jackson, Tennessee                        Office, Manufacturing, Warehouse               Owned          341,100
Huntsville, Alabama                       Office, Manufacturing                          Owned          219,000
Memphis, Tennessee                        Office, Manufacturing, Warehouse            10/97 (1)         204,000
Geneva, Alabama                           Office, Manufacturing                          Owned          203,000
Shelby, Ohio                              Warehouse                                         (2)         171,500
Sanger, California                        Office, Manufacturing, Warehouse            12/97 (3)         142,000
Henderson, Texas                          Manufacturing, Warehouse                       Owned          124,600
Decatur, Arkansas                         Office, Manufacturing, Warehouse               Owned          105,980
Jackson, Tennessee                        Manufacturing, Warehouse                        8/98          103,000
Jackson, Tennessee                        Warehouse                                      12/97           90,000
Sparks, Nevada                            Distribution Center                            12/00           73,000
Big Prairie, Ohio                         Manufacturing                                  Owned           60,000
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) Subject to one-year option to renew.
 
(2) Month-to-month tenancy.
 
(3) Subject to five-year option to renew.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
    The Company is involved from time to time in various legal proceedings and
claims incident to the normal conduct of its business, including the
environmental matters described above. Although it is impossible to predict the
outcome of any pending legal proceeding, the Company believes that such legal
proceedings and claims, individually and in the aggregate, either are without
merit, are covered by insurance or are adequately reserved for, and will not
have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of
operations.
 
    In addition to the matters covered by the preceding paragraph, in May 1994,
the ULC suspended its recognition of HTPV for gas appliance systems, including
the Ultravent-Registered Trademark- product distributed by the Company. This
action resulted from reports of problems with HTPV, including improper
installation, cracking, inadequate joint adhesion, and related safety hazards,
including the potential for carbon monoxide emission. In June 1994, as a result
of the ULC action, the MCCR suspended sales of HTPV in the Province of Ontario.
Other provinces of Canada have taken similar action. Pursuant to an MCCR order,
appliance systems in Ontario with HTPV have been remediated. Most gas appliance
manufacturers in Canada and the United States no longer certify HTPV for use
with their products. As a result, the
 
                                       50
<PAGE>
Company discontinued sales of its HTPV product in 1997. Company sales of
Ultravent-Registered Trademark- products in the United States and Canada in 1995
and 1996 were minimal.
 
    The Company is a defendant in a suit in Canada captioned ONTARIO NEW HOME
WARRANTY PROGRAM V. CHEVRON CHEMICAL CORP. ET AL--Ontario Court--General
Division--No. 22487/96, which was filed on February 27, 1996 against 24 entities
including heating appliance manufacturers, plastic vent manufacturers and
distributors, public utilities and listing agencies by the Ontario New Home
Warranty Program, which is responsible for the cost of correcting appliances
equipped with HTPV in new home construction in Ontario. This suit seeks damages
of Cdn $125 million from all of the defendants. The Company is also a defendant
in a lawsuit captioned GOODMAN MANUFACTURING COMPANY V. CHEVRON CHEMICAL CORP.
ET AL-- County Court--Harris County, Texas--No. 96-15816 in which the Company
has been sued along with two other defendants for reimbursement of costs
associated with Goodman Manufacturing Company's HPTV corrective action program.
In a lawsuit captioned RHEEM CORP. ET AL V. GENERAL ELECTRIC CO.--Superior
Court--Suffolk Country, Massachusetts--No. 97-1709-B, filed March 31, 1997, the
Company and two other defendants have been sued by seven furnace manufacturers
which are seeking reimbursement for costs expected to be incurred as a result of
corrective action programs to be conducted in connection with furnace systems
vented with HTPV. On April 1, 1997, the Company filed its own legal action
captioned HART & COOLEY, INC. V. AMANA REFRIGERATION, INC.--Circuit
Court--Ottowa County, Michigan--No. 9727729-NP against all identifiable
appliance manufacturers that certified HTPV for use with their appliance system
including the plaintiffs in the Texas and Massachusetts actions. In its suit,
the Company is seeking damages for costs it has incurred and declaratory relief
for costs that may be incurred in the future as a result of the conduct of
appliance manufacturers that certified their products for use with HTPV. The
Company has also been named in a class action lawsuit regarding HTPV captioned
ENGEL V. CHEVRON CHEMICAL CORP. ET AL--Circuit Court--Rutherford County,
Tennessee--No. 37715, filed January 9, 1997. In this case, the Company is a
defendant along with its principal competitor in the HTPV business, a resin
supplier and a furnace manufacturer that has been joined as a representative of
a defendant class consisting of all appliance manufacturers. The plaintiffs seek
damages on behalf of all persons in the United States with appliance systems
that are vented with HTPV.
 
    The Company is engaged in ongoing discussions with the CPSC, which has been
advised of the ULC action and the actions taken by the MCCR. The CPSC continues
to investigate HTPV and has met with all of the manufacturers of HTPV, various
appliance manufacturers and other entities with technical expertise. The CPSC's
concerns focus on the heating appliance system, the plastic resin used to
manufacture the venting and improper installation. While no definitive action
has been decided upon, the Company is aware that the CPSC is considering a
corrective action program involving HTPV, that would impact heating appliance
manufacturers, plastic resin manufacturers and HTPV manufacturers, including the
Company. However, certain appliance manufacturers, the plastic resin
manufacturer and the HTPV manufacturers and distributors, including the Company,
are currently participating in a non-binding facilitative mediation process
which seeks to develop and implement a voluntary HTPV corrective action program.
The CPSC has indicated that it will delay initiating proceedings mandating a
corrective action program while these parties are involved in this mediation
process. It is not possible at this time to predict the outcome of the
mediation.
 
    With respect to these matters, the Company, on September 16, 1996, filed an
action in state court in Illinois against certain insurance carriers captioned
HART & COOLEY, INC. V. NATIONAL UNION FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY OF PITTSBURGH, PA
ET AL--Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois--No. 96-CH-9947. The Company is
seeking a declaratory judgment, damages for breach of contract and specific
relief requiring the insurance carrier, pursuant to the terms of the Company's
insurance policies, to defend and reimburse the Company for costs and legal
expenses arising from Ultravent-related claims. The amount at issue cannot be
determined at this time. The insurance carriers have denied coverage on a number
of grounds, including (i) that there has been no property damage, bodily injury
or occurrence, as those terms are defined in the insurance policies, (ii) that
various exclusion in the insurance policies apply with respect to damage to the
Company's own products, the failure of its products to perform, and product
recalls,
 
                                       51
<PAGE>
(iii) that the Company knew or should have known of the existence of alleged
problems with Ultravent and (iv) that other insurance, which should be called on
prior to the policies of these insurers, is available. The insurance carriers
have filed motions to dismiss the Company's lawsuit.
 
    While it is impossible at this time to give a firm estimate of the ultimate
cost to the Company, management currently believes that the after-tax cost to
the Company of resolving the Ultravent matters, discussed above, should range
from a non-material amount to $20.0 million, after considering numerous factors
including, in certain scenarios, the possibility of third-party reimbursements
and insurance recoveries. It is possible that, in the event that a number of the
factors referenced above were resolved adversely to the Company and no third
party reimbursements or insurance recoveries were received, the upper limit of
such range would be exceeded. While no assurance can be given, the Company
believes at this time that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not
have a material effect on the Company's financial condition, but may have a
material effect on future results of operations in the period recognized.
 
                                       52
<PAGE>
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
    The following table sets forth the name, age and position of each of the
directors and executive officers of the Company.
 
    Each director of the Company will hold office until the next annual meeting
of shareholders of the Company or until his successor has been elected and
qualified. Officers of the Company will be elected by the Board of Directors of
the Company and will serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors, subject
to any applicable employment agreements.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME                                      AGE                                    POSITIONS
- ------------------------------------      ---      ---------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>          <C>
William K. Hall.....................          53   President, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman
William E. Allen....................          52   President, Air Power Products
Gus J. Athas........................          61   Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Sam A. Cottone......................          56   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Director
Edward G. Finnegan, Jr..............          35   Vice President-Corporate Development
Paul G. Fischer.....................          50   President, Plumbing Products
Lawrence B. Lee.....................          55   President, Air Distribution Accessories
Anthony J. Navitsky.................          41   Vice President-Finance and Treasurer
Christopher J. O'Brien..............          39   Director
Charles J. Philippin................          47   Director
Christopher J. Stadler..............          33   Director
</TABLE>
 
    WILLIAM K. HALL has been a director, the President and Chief Executive
Officer of Falcon since 1994, and was the President of Eagle from 1988 until
June 1997. Mr. Hall became Chairman of the Board of Falcon upon the consummation
of the Recapitalization. Mr. Hall was the Chief Executive Officer and a director
of Eagle from 1990 to June 1997. Mr. Hall is a director of Gencorp and A.M.
Castle & Co.
 
    WILLIAM E. ALLEN has served the Company as Vice President of Air Power
Products from 1986 to 1989 and as President of Air Power Products since 1989.
Prior to 1986, Mr. Allen was a director of marketing and sales at TRW Inc.
 
    GUS J. ATHAS has served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and
Secretary of Falcon since 1994. In connection with the Recapitalization, Mr.
Athas was named Executive Vice President of the Company. He served as Senior
Vice President of GAMI and as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and
Secretary of Eagle from 1995 until June 1997. Prior to 1995, he served as Vice
President and Assistant Secretary of Eagle.
 
    SAM A. COTTONE has served as Senior Vice President-Finance, Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer of Falcon since 1994. In connection with the
Recapitalization, Mr. Cottone was named Executive Vice President of the Company.
Mr. Cottone also became a director of Falcon upon the consummation of the
Recapitalization. He was Senior Vice President of GAMI from 1995 until June 1997
and Senior Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial Officer and a director of
Eagle from 1993 until 1995. He was a partner with Arthur Andersen LLP from 1973
to 1993.
 
    EDWARD G. FINNEGAN, JR. has served as Vice President-Corporate Development
of Falcon since January 1996. From 1988 to 1996, he served in various executive
capacities at Eagle, Equity Group Investments, Inc., and EGI Corporate
Investments, Inc.
 
    PAUL G. FISCHER joined the Company in 1983 and has served as President of
Plumbing Fixtures since 1988. Prior to 1983, Mr. Fischer served in various
executive capacities for Interspace Corporation.
 
    LAWRENCE B. LEE has served as President of Air Distribution Accessories
since 1985. Prior to 1985, Mr. Lee served in various capacities at Raybestos
Manhattan, Inc.
 
                                       53
<PAGE>
    ANTHONY J. NAVITSKY has served as Vice President-Finance and Treasurer of
the Company since March 1997. He served as Vice President and Treasurer of Eagle
from 1990 to 1997 and as Vice President and Controller of GAMI from 1983 to
1990.
 
    CHRISTOPHER J. O'BRIEN became a director of Falcon upon the consummation of
the Recapitalization. He has been an executive of Investcorp or one or more of
its wholly-owned subsidiaries since December 1993. Prior to joining Investcorp,
Mr. O'Brien was a Managing Director of Mancuso & Company for four years. Mr.
O'Brien is a director of Simmons Holdings, Inc., Star Markets Holdings, Inc.,
Prime Services Inc., CSK Auto, Inc. and The William Carter Company.
 
    CHARLES J. PHILIPPIN became a director of Falcon upon consummation of the
Recapitalization. He has been an executive of Investcorp or one or more of its
wholly-owned subsidiaries since July 1994. Prior to joining Investcorp, Mr.
Philippin was a partner of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. Mr. Philippin is a director
of Saks Holdings, Inc., Prime Service, Inc., CSK Auto, Inc. and The William
Carter Company.
 
    CHRISTOPHER J. STADLER became a director of Falcon upon the consummation of
the Recapitalization. He has been an executive of Investcorp or one or more of
its wholly-owned subsidiaries since April 1, 1996. Prior to joining Investcorp,
Mr. Stadler was a Director with CS First Boston Corporation. Mr. Stadler is a
director of Prime Service, Inc., CSK Auto, Inc. and The William Carter Company.
 
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
 
    Prior to the Recapitalization, the Company paid each of its directors who
was not an officer or an employee of the Company or a subsidiary an annual
retainer of $20,000 and a fee of $1,000 for each board and committee meeting
attended. Directors were reimbursed for any expenses they incurred in attending
meetings. In addition, each director was granted upon initial election and at
each annual meeting of stockholders thereafter a 10-year option (vesting at the
rate of 25% per year) to purchase 2,000 shares of Class A Stock with a per share
exercise price equal to the fair market value per share Class A Stock on the
date of grant. All of such options were redeemed in connection with the
Recapitalization. See "The Recapitalization."
 
    The Company does not pay any additional remuneration to its employees or to
executives of Investcorp for serving as directors, although such directors are
reimbursed for expenses incurred in attending board meetings. See "--Executive
Compensation." There are no familial relationships among any of the directors or
executive officers.
 
                                       54
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
    SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
    The following table sets forth all cash compensation earned in the previous
three fiscal years by the Company's Chief Executive Officer and each of the
other six most highly compensated executive officers whose remuneration exceeded
$100,000 (the "Named Executive Officers"). The current compensation arrangements
for each of these officers are described in "--Employment Arrangements Following
the Recapitalization" below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        ANNUAL COMPENSATION       LONG TERM COMPENSATION AWARDS
                                                                       ----------------------  ------------------------------------
<S>                                                                    <C>   <C>      <C>      <C>          <C>          <C>
                                                                                               RESTRICTED   SECURITIES   ALL OTHER
                                                                                                 STOCK      UNDERLYING    COMPEN-
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITIONS                                           YEAR  SALARY    BONUS     AWARDS      OPTIONS       SATION
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------  ----  -------  -------  ----------   ----------   ----------
 
<CAPTION>
                                                                               ($)      ($)     ($) (1)        (#)        ($) (2)
<S>                                                                    <C>   <C>      <C>      <C>          <C>          <C>
William K. Hall (3)..................................................  1996  250,000  271,200        --       43,300        6,410
  President and Chief Executive Officer                                1995  241,551       --        --       53,300        6,200
                                                                       1994  234,058  214,500    79,800       40,000        5,938
 
William E. Allen.....................................................  1996  186,162  208,157        --       19,500       11,402
  President, Air Power Products                                        1995  171,102   50,117        --       22,100       12,399
                                                                       1994  162,537  160,796   198,000       15,000        9,313
 
Gus J. Athas (3)(4)..................................................  1996  144,731  122,040        --       32,200        6,410
  Executive Vice President, General                                    1995  126,174       --        --       40,000        6,200
  Counsel and Secretary                                                1994  127,193   91,000    53,400       30,000        5,938
 
C. Clifford Brake (3)................................................  1996  289,433  235,944        --           --       12,820
  Retired; Former Senior Vice                                          1995  142,164       --        --           --        6,200
  President-Operations                                                 1994  132,500  132,000    53,400           --        5,938
 
Sam A. Cottone (3)(4)................................................  1996  144,731  122,040        --       32,200        6,410
  Executive Vice President--Finance,                                   1995  136,048       --        --       40,000        6,200
  Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer                                1994  127,193   91,000    53,400       30,000        5,938
 
Paul G. Fischer......................................................  1996  183,475   82,013        --       17,350        7,680
  President, Plumbing Fixtures                                         1995  172,000       --        --       22,100       13,881
                                                                       1994  161,250  161,573   198,000       15,000       10,022
 
Lawrence B. Lee......................................................  1996  194,750   73,148        --       18,450        8,960
  President, Air Distribution Accessories                              1995  185,562       --        --       23,400       12,399
                                                                       1994  173,472  164,764   210,000       15,000       11,876
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------
 
(1) Value on date of grant, November 3, 1994, of 6,650, 16,500, 4,450, 4,450,
    4,450, 16,500 and 17,500 restricted shares of Class A Stock granted to the
    above named officers, respectively. On December 31, 1996, the remaining
    shares of 3,325, 8,250, 2,225, 2,225, 2,225, 8,250 and 8,750 had a value of
    $49,044, $121,688, $32,819, $32,819, $32,819, $121,688 and $129,063,
    respectively. Subject to forfeiture for non-vesting, the grantees were
    entitled to any dividends declared on these shares. Shares vested at the
    rate of 25% over a four-year period from date of grant. All of such shares
    vested in connection with the Recapitalization, at which time they were
    repurchased by the Company.
 
(2) Amounts contributed to the Eagle Employee Savings Plan and accrued under an
    unfunded Supplemental Plan for Messrs. Hall, Cottone and Athas represent 50%
    of the actual contributions made. Amounts contributed and accrued for Mr.
    Brake under these plans represent 100% in 1996 and 50% in 1995 and 1994 of
    actual contributions made. Amounts shown in the table represent the amounts
    paid by the Company as a reimbursement to Eagle pursuant to the Corporate
    Services Agreement.
 
(3) The amounts for Salary and All Other Compensation for Messrs. Hall, Cottone
    and Athas, who also devoted 50% of their working time to Eagle, were neither
    set nor paid by the Company, but were determined and paid by Eagle. Such
    amounts reflect 50% of the total amounts paid to such executives for Salary
    and All Other Compensation by Eagle and the Company, which equal the amounts
    reimbursed to Eagle by the Company pursuant to the corporate services
    agreement between the Company and Eagle (the "Corporate Services
    Agreement"). The amounts for Salary and All Other Compensation paid to Mr.
    Brake were determined and paid by Eagle. Such amounts reflect 100% of the
    total amounts paid to Mr. Brake in 1996 and 50% of the total amounts paid to
    Mr. Brake in 1995 and 1994 for Salary and All Other Compensation by Eagle
    and the Company, which equal the amounts reimbursed to Eagle by the Company
    pursuant to the Corporate Services Agreement. Annual bonus targets were set
    by the Company and annual bonuses were remitted by the Company to Eagle for
    payment to these executives. All compensation and employment relationships
    with Eagle were terminated in connection with the Recapitalization.
 
(4) In connection with the Recapitalization, Messrs. Athas and Cottone were
    named Executive Vice Presidents. Prior to such times, Messrs. Athas and
    Cottone were Senior Vice Presidents of the Company.
 
                                       55
<PAGE>
    COMPENSATION RELATED TO THE RECAPITALIZATION
 
    Upon the consummation of the Recapitalization, 11 employees of the Company,
including Messrs. Allen, Athas, Cottone, Fischer, Hall and Lee, received
transaction incentive bonuses as a result of arrangements approved by the
Company's pre-Recapitalization Board of Directors. These bonuses totaled
approximately $3.1 million.
 
    Each person who, immediately prior to the consummation of the
Recapitalization, held an option to purchase shares of Class A Stock granted
under the Company's 1994 Stock Option and Restricted Share Plan (the "1994
Plan"), whether or not then exercisable, received from the Company for each
share subject to such option an amount in cash equal to the excess, if any, of
the Cash Price (as defined) over the per share exercise price of such option,
and such option was canceled.
 
    The following table reflects the payments received by certain executive
officers of the Company upon consummation of the Recapitalization under the
transaction incentive arrangements and the 1994 Plan described above:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        TRANSACTION
                                                                                         INCENTIVE     NET OPTION
NAME                                                                                       BONUS        PROCEEDS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------
<S>                                                                                     <C>           <C>
William E. Allen......................................................................  $    500,000  $    373,095
Gus J. Athas..........................................................................       300,000       675,618
Sam A. Cottone........................................................................       300,000       675,618
Paul G. Fischer.......................................................................       375,900       361,936
William K. Hall.......................................................................       700,000       902,447
Lawrence B. Lee.......................................................................       399,000       378,566
Certain other employees...............................................................       557,040       561,022
                                                                                        ------------  ------------
  Total...............................................................................  $  3,131,940  $  3,928,302
                                                                                        ------------  ------------
                                                                                        ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
    The total amount of all bonuses and payments with respect to options to
executive officers was approximately $7.1 million.
 
    Shares of Class A Stock held by executive officers and directors of the
Company were converted into the right to receive the same consideration as
shares of Class A Stock held by other stockholders. Options held by executive
officers and directors of the Company were treated in the same manner as options
held by other option holders. See "Certain Transactions--Agreements with Certain
Stockholders."
 
    EMPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS FOLLOWING THE RECAPITALIZATION
 
    Messrs. Hall, Cottone and Athas, as well as two other officers, have entered
into employment agreements with the Company, effective as of the consummation of
the Recapitalization (collectively, the "Employment Agreements"). Under the
terms of the Employment Agreements, Mr. Hall serves as Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer and receives a minimum base salary payable at an annual
rate of $600,000, subject to adjustment. Mr. Cottone serves as Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer and receives a minimum base salary payable
at an annual rate of $400,000, subject to adjustment, and Mr. Athas serves as
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary and receives a minimum
base salary payable at an annual rate of $330,000, subject to adjustment.
 
    The Employment Agreements also provide (i) for an annual bonus to be paid to
the officers in accordance with goals to be mutually agreed upon by the Company
and such officers, (ii) that the Company will establish a funded supplemental
executive retirement plan in the cases of Messrs. Cottone and Athas or, in the
case of Mr. Hall, a mutually satisfactory alternative plan, (iii) that such
officers will receive 10-year stock options with respect to various percentages
of the outstanding Falcon capital stock as of the consummation of the
Recapitalization, (iv) that such officers have certain rights to "put" to the
Company and the Company has certain rights to "call" from such officers
unrestricted shares of Falcon
 
                                       56
<PAGE>
capital stock owned by such officers and certain vested stock options held by
such officers, and (v) that such officers are each required to retain or
purchase a specific percentage of shares of Falcon capital stock as of the
consummation of the Recapitalization.
 
    Each Employment Agreement is subject to a fixed term, unless earlier
terminated by the Company or an officer. If an Employment Agreement is
terminated by the Company, the termination is not effective until the later of
three years after the consummation of the Recapitalization or two years after
the notice of termination, unless the termination is for "Good Cause." If an
Employment Agreement is terminated by an officer, the termination is not
effective until 60 days after the notice of termination. Under the Employment
Agreements if the Company terminates the employment of an officer without Good
Cause or the officer terminates his employment for "Good Reason," the officer is
entitled to receive severance benefits which include (i) the ability to exercise
vested and outstanding stock options for the period ending on the earlier of the
date that is 18 months from the date his employment is terminated or the
specific expiration date stated in the options and (ii) for the period ending on
the later of three years after the consummation of the Recapitalization or two
years after notice of such termination, payment of the officer's base
compensation at the rate most recently determined and an annual bonus in an
amount equal to the latest bonus that would be paid if then targeted goals were
achieved; the continuation of health, life and disability benefits; the
provision of office space and secretarial services; the reimbursement for
outplacement services; and the full vesting in all retirement and savings plans.
If the officer dies while he is receiving severance benefits, such benefits will
continue to be paid to his spouse, and if such spouse subsequently dies, to the
officer's estate.
 
    "Good Cause" is defined as (i) the officer's conviction of any embezzlement
or any felony involving fraud or breach of trust relating to the performance of
the officer's duties, (ii) the officer's willful engagement in gross misconduct
in the performance of his duties, (iii) the officer's death, or (iv) permanent
disability which materially impairs the officer's performance of his duties.
 
    "Good Reason" exists if (i) the Company continues a reduction in
compensation or expenditures for benefit plans, relocates outside the Chicago
area or commits another material breach of the Employment Agreement for more
than 30 days after being notified by the officer of such breach provided the
officer has given notice to the Company within 30 days of first becoming aware
of the facts constituting such breach, (ii) the Company gives the officer a
notice of termination without Good Cause provided the officer terminates the
Employment Agreement within 30 days of receiving such notice, (iii) a "change in
control" occurs and the officer's employment is terminated by either party for
any reason other than Good Cause, or (iv) the officer retires from the Company
on a date that is mutually agreed upon by the Company and the officer.
 
    The Company has entered into agreements with each of Messrs. Allen, Ellis,
Fischer and Lee that provide benefits in the event that the executives'
employment is terminated, other than by reason of death, disability, Voluntary
Termination or Termination with Cause (as defined in the agreements) within two
years following a change in control of ownership of the subsidiary employer or
the Company that occurs prior to September 30, 1997. Upon a covered termination,
the executive will be entitled to receive a payment equal to two times the sum
of base salary and bonus in effect at the time of termination. In addition, the
Company will provide up to one year of outplacement assistance and will pay the
executives' cost of continuing certain health care benefits for up to two years.
Similar agreements have been entered into with twenty-two other employees of the
Company's subsidiaries which provide for a lump sum payment equal to from six to
18 months of the employee's base salary plus bonus at the time of such
employee's termination and the Company's payment of the costs for continuation
of certain benefits for a specified period of time after such employee's
termination.
 
                                       57
<PAGE>
    STOCK OPTION PLAN
 
    In order to attract, retain and motivate selected employees and officers,
and to encourage such persons to devote their best efforts to the business and
financial success of the Company, the Company adopted the Falcon Building
Products, Inc. Stock Option Plan (the "Stock Option Plan") in connection with
the consummation of the Recapitalization. The Stock Option Plan provides for the
grant of options to purchase approximately 11% of the number of shares of
capital stock of Falcon outstanding at the consummation of the Recapitalization.
 
    The Stock Option Plan provides that it may be administered by Falcon's Board
of Directors (the "Board") or a committee designated by the Board. As of the
date of this Prospectus, the Board has not designated such a committee and is
administering the Stock Option Plan itself. The Board designates the employees
of the Company who shall be eligible to receive awards under the Stock Option
Plan, and the amount, timing and other terms and conditions applicable to such
awards. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Employment Agreements provide that
each executive officer will receive a certain specified percentage of 10-year
options with a per share exercise price equal to the Cash Price. Messrs. Hall,
Cottone and Athas and other current executive officers and employees of the
Company and its subsidiaries received options for approximately ten percent of
the number of shares of capital stock of Falcon outstanding at the consummation
of the Recapitalization. Approximately one percent of the outstanding shares of
such stock has been reserved for future grants. Options will be exercisable in
accordance with the terms established by the Board. Options will expire on the
date determined by the Board, which shall not be later than the tenth
anniversary of the grant date. The Stock Option Plan gives an optionee certain
rights to "put" to the Company and gives the Company certain rights to "call"
from the optionee, certain vested stock options and shares acquired upon
exercise thereof.
 
    OPTION GRANTS IN FISCAL 1996
 
    Shown below is information concerning grants of options issued by the
Company to the Named Executive Officers during fiscal 1996. In connection with
the Recapitalization, all options held by the Named Executive Officers were
accelerated and the holders of such options received the difference between the
Cash Price ($17.75 per share) over the per share exercise price of such option.
See "-- Compensation Related to the Recapitalization."
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
                                                                                                          VALUE
                                                                                                 AT ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES
                                                                                                      OF STOCK PRICE
                                                                                                       APPRECIATION
                                                                                                    FOR OPTION TERM(2)
                                                                                                 ------------------------
<S>                                        <C>          <C>            <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
                                                                                                   5% ($)       10% ($)
                                            NUMBER OF    % OF TOTAL                               (ASSUMES     (ASSUMES
                                           SECURITIES      OPTIONS                                 $20.46       $32.58
                                           UNDERLYING    GRANTED TO                                 PRICE        PRICE
                                             OPTIONS      EMPLOYEES     EXERCISE                  AT END OF    AT END OF
                                             GRANTED      IN FISCAL       PRICE     EXPIRATION       10           10
NAME                                         (#)(1)         YEAR        ($/SHARE)      DATE        YEARS)       YEARS)
- -----------------------------------------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
William K. Hall..........................      43,300          14.2%        12.56     11/13/06      342,023      866,754
William E. Allen.........................      19,500           6.4%        12.56     11/13/06      154,029      390,339
Gus J. Athas.............................      32,200          10.5%        12.56     11/13/06      254,345      644,560
Sam A. Cottone...........................      32,200          10.5%        12.56     11/13/06      254,345      644,560
Paul G. Fischer..........................      17,350           5.7%        12.56     11/13/06      137,046      347,302
Lawrence B. Lee..........................      18,450           6.0%        12.56     11/13/06      145,735      369,321
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) Options were for Class A Stock and were scheduled to vest at the rate of 25%
    per year over a four year period from the date of grant.
 
(2) The 5% and 10% assumed rates of appreciation are specified under the rules
    of the Securities and Exchange Commission and do not represent the Company's
    estimate or projection of the future price of its Class A Stock. The actual
    value, if any, which a Named Executive Officer could have realized
 
                                       58
<PAGE>
    upon the exercise of stock options at December 31, 1996 was based upon the
    difference between the market value of the Company's Class A Stock on such
    date and the exercise price.
 
    AGGREGATE OPTION EXERCISES IN 1996 AND 1996 YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
 
    The following table sets forth for the Chief Executive Officer and the other
Named Executive Officers information with respect to December 31, 1996 as to
securities underlying unexercised options and year-end option values, in each
case with respect to options to purchase shares of the Company's Class A Stock.
None of such Named Executive Officers exercised any options during fiscal 1996.
All of such options were accelerated and canceled in connection with the
Recapitalization. See "--Compensation Related to the Recapitalization."
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             SECURITIES UNDERLYING        VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                                                           UNEXERCISED OPTIONS HELD       IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
                                                          AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996 (#)   AT DECEMBER 31, 1996 ($)
                                                          ---------------------------  ---------------------------
<S>                                                       <C>          <C>             <C>          <C>
NAME                                                      EXERCISABLE  NONEXERCISABLE  EXERCISABLE  NONEXERCISABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------
William K. Hall.........................................      33,325        103,275       126,955        365,692
William E. Allen........................................      13,025         43,575        50,460        152,835
Gus J. Athas............................................      25,000         77,200        95,250        273,768
Sam A. Cottone..........................................      25,000         77,200        95,250        273,768
Paul G. Fischer.........................................      13,025         41,425        50,460        148,126
Lawrence B. Lee.........................................      13,350         43,500        52,215        155,800
</TABLE>
 
    PENSION PLANS
 
    During fiscal 1996, eligible employees of the Company participated in the
Falcon Cash Balance Pension Plan (the "Existing Cash Balance Plan"), a qualified
"cash balance" defined benefit plan that covered eligible salaried and hourly
employees of Falcon and its subsidiaries that adopted the plan. Certain officers
of the Company participated in an Eagle sponsored Cash Balance Plan which
mirrors the Existing Cash Balance Plan (collectively, the "Pension Plans"). The
normal form of retirement benefit under the Pension Plans is an annuity payable
at age 65 (the normal retirement age), although, in lieu of an annuity, a
participant may elect to receive a lump sum payment at retirement or other
termination of service. A participant's benefit is based on a bookkeeping
account balance, which is the sum of 5% of the participant's compensation for
each of the first 15 years of service and 6.5% of compensation for each year of
service thereafter. The bookkeeping account balances are further credited with
interest based on the One Year Treasury Constant Maturities as published in the
Federal Reserve Statistical Release over the one-month period ending on the
November 30 immediately preceding the applicable plan year. The interest rate
for the plan year ending December 31, 1996 was 5.5%. Covered compensation
includes salary, annual bonus, 401(k) deferrals and overtime, but excludes
long-term incentive compensation.
 
    As of December 31, 1996, the estimated annual annuity benefits payable under
the Pension Plans at normal retirement were $12,680, $51,541, $5,984, $18,077,
$7,714, $53,066 and $39,450 for Messrs. Hall, Allen, Athas, Brake, Cottone,
Fischer and Lee, respectively. Prior to the Recapitalization, the Company was
responsible for a portion of the current costs of these benefits for Messrs.
Hall, Cottone, Athas and Brake pursuant to a Corporate Service Agreement with
Eagle. The Corporate Service Agreement was terminated in connection with the
Recapitalization and the Company now bears all of the cost of these benefits for
Messrs. Hall, Cottone and Athas, as well as its other employees. See "Certain
Transactions."
 
    Subject to the provisions of the plans, the employee benefit plans
maintained by the Company immediately prior to the consummation of the
Recapitalization will continue to be maintained by the Company.
 
                                       59
<PAGE>
    STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
 
    In 1994, pursuant to the Company's senior executive stock purchase plan (the
"Stock Purchase Plan"), certain executives purchased shares of Class A Stock
coincident with the Company's Initial Public Offering and the Company loaned
money to certain officers of the Company to enable them to purchase shares in
the Company's Initial Public Offering. The loans were made on a full recourse
basis and bear interest at the rate of 7.5% per annum, compounded semi-annually.
The Company has agreed to repurchase shares of Class A Stock acquired pursuant
to the Stock Purchase Plan by any such officer if, prior to November 2, 1997,
his employment is terminated coupled with a change in control of the Company.
The officers who purchased shares pursuant to the Stock Purchase Plan include
Messrs. Hall (80,000 shares), Cottone (20,000 shares), Brake (20,000 shares),
Athas (16,000 shares), Allen (24,000 shares), Fischer (24,000 shares), and Lee
(12,500 shares). Pursuant to the Stock Purchase Plan, in the event of a change
in control of the Company, or a termination of employment for any reason other
than for cause, or death or disability, or retirement on or after age 65, the
price at which the Company will repurchase an officer's shares of Class A Stock
will be the higher of market value or original purchase price plus accumulated
interest on such officer's related loan by the Company, less any distributions
received on these shares. In the event of an officer's voluntary resignation
prior to age 65, the purchase price will be the lower of these two prices. See
"Certain Transactions."
 
    In connection with the Recapitalization, the Stock Purchase Plan was amended
to permit the loans outstanding thereunder to remain outstanding. Concurrently,
the Company adopted the Falcon Building Products, Inc. 1997 Senior Executive
Stock Loan Plan (the "1997 Loan Plan") containing loan provisions similar to the
Stock Purchase Plan. Loans under the 1997 Loan Plan will only be available to
executives who do not have loans outstanding under the Stock Purchase Plan. At
the consummation of the Recapitalization, loans in aggregate amount of
approximately $342,000 to purchase shares of Class C Stock were made under the
1997 Loan Plan to four employees of the Company who are not Named Executive
Officers.
 
    COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS; COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND
     INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
    Prior to the consummation of the Recapitalization, the Board of Directors of
Falcon consisted of Mr. Hall, Rod F. Dammeyer, Bradbury Dyer, III, Philip C.
Kantz, Sheli Z. Rosenberg, Richard G. Sim, Robert L. Smialek and B. Joseph
White. Of this group, only Mr. Hall currently serves as a director of the
Company.
 
    Prior to the consummation of the Recapitalization, the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors determined the Company's policy with respect
to the nature and amount of all compensation of the Company's executive
officers. In 1996, the Compensation Committee was comprised of Messrs. Dammeyer,
Kantz and White.           .
 
    Prior to the consummation of the Recapitalization, the following
relationships existed: Mr. Hall, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Falcon, was the Chief Executive Officer and a director of Eagle; Mr. Dammeyer
was the Chief Executive Officer and a director of GAMI and Chairman of the Board
of Directors of Eagle; EHL owned 100% of the outstanding common stock of GAMI;
GAMI owned 100% of the outstanding common stock of Eagle; EHL's sole general
partners were the Samuel Zell Revocable Trust and the Robert H. and Ann Lurie
Trust; Mr. Zell was the trustee of such Zell Trust; Mark Slezak and Ms. Lurie
were co-trustees of the Robert H. and Ann Lurie Trust; Messrs. Athas and Cottone
were executive officers and directors of the Company and were executive officers
of GAMI and Eagle and, in the case of Mr. Cottone, a director of Eagle. Mr. Dyer
was a director of GAMI.
 
                                       60
<PAGE>
                             PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
 
    The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of the capital stock of the Company. The table sets forth for such
periods (i) each person known by the Company to be beneficial owner of more than
5% of each class of voting stock of the Company, (ii) each person who is a
director or executive officer of the Company who beneficially owns shares of
capital stock of the Company and (iii) all directors and executive officers of
the Company as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, each of the stockholders
shown in the table below has sole voting and investment power with respect to
the shares beneficially owned.
 
    Holders of the Class A Stock are entitled to one vote per share and in the
aggregate represent approximately 12% of the voting stock of Falcon. The holders
of Class D Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share (the "Class D Stock"), are
entitled to 446 votes per share and have approximately 88% of the voting power
of Falcon.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     SHARES
                                                                                               BENEFICIALLY OWNED
                                                                                             -----------------------
<S>                                                                                          <C>           <C>
                                                                                                NUMBER
                                                                                              OF SHARES      % OF
                                                                                                 (1)         CLASS
                                                                                             ------------  ---------
CLASS A VOTING STOCK
EHL (2)....................................................................................      783,354        75.8%
William E. Allen (3).......................................................................       21,818         2.1
Gus J. Athas (3)...........................................................................       13,636         1.3
Sam A. Cottone (3).........................................................................       13,488         1.3
Paul G. Fischer (3)........................................................................       21,818         2.1
William K. Hall (3)........................................................................       68,182         6.6
Lawrence B. Lee (3)........................................................................       11,364         1.1
All directors and officers as a group, including the above-named persons...................      156,669        15.2
 
CLASS D VOTING STOCK
INVESTCORP S.A. (4)(5).....................................................................       17,000       100.0%
SIPCO Limited (6)..........................................................................       17,000       100.0
CIP Limited (7)(8).........................................................................       15,640        92.0
Ballet Limited (7)(8)......................................................................        1,564         9.2
Denary Limited (7)(8)......................................................................        1,564         9.2
Gleam Limited (7)(8).......................................................................        1,564         9.2
Highlands Limited (7)(8)...................................................................        1,564         9.2
Nobel limited (7)(8).......................................................................        1,564         9.2
Outrigger Limited (7)(8)...................................................................        1,564         9.2
Quill Limited (7)(8).......................................................................        1,564         9.2
Radial Limited (7)(8)......................................................................        1,564         9.2
Shoreline Limited (7)(8)...................................................................        1,564         9.2
Zinnia Limited (7)(8)......................................................................        1,564         9.2
INVESTCORP Investment Equity Limited (5)...................................................        1,360         8.0
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) As used in the table above, a beneficial owner of a security includes any
    person who, directly or indirectly, through contract, arrangement,
    understanding, relationship, or otherwise has or shares (i) the power to
    vote, or direct the voting, of such security or (ii) investment power which
    includes the power to dispose, or to direct the disposition of, such
    security. In addition, a person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of a
    security if that person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership of
    such security within 60 days.
 
                                       61
<PAGE>
(2) EHL's general partners are the Samuel Zell Revocable Trust and the Robert H.
    and Ann Lurie Trust. Samuel Zell is the trustee of the Zell Trust. Mark
    Slezak and Ms. Lurie are co-trustees of the Robert H. and Ann Lurie Trust.
    Messrs. Zell and Slezak and Ms. Lurie disclaim beneficial ownership of the
    shares of Class A Stock beneficially owned by EHL. The address of EHL,
    Messrs. Zell and Slezak and Ms. Lurie is Two North Riverside Plaza, Chicago,
    Illinois 60606.
 
(3) The address of Messrs. Allen, Athas, Cottone, Fischer, Hall and Lee is c/o
    Falcon Building Products, Inc., Two North Riverside Plaza, Chicago, Illinois
    60606.
 
(4) Investcorp does not directly own any stock in Falcon. The number of shares
    shown as owned by Investcorp includes all of the shares owned by INVESTCORP
    Investment Equity Limited (see (5) below). Investcorp owns no stock in
    Ballet Limited, Denary Limited, Gleam Limited, Highlands Limited, Noble
    Limited, Outrigger Limited, Quill Limited, Radial Limited, Shoreline
    Limited, Zinnia Limited, or in the beneficial owners of these entities (see
    (8) below). Investcorp may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of the
    shares of voting stock held by these entities because the entities have
    entered into revocable management services or similar agreements with an
    affiliate of Investcorp, pursuant to which each such entities has granted
    such affiliate the authority to direct the voting and disposition of the
    Falcon voting stock owned by such entity for so long as such agreement is in
    effect. Investcorp is a Luxembourg corporation with its address at 37 rue
    Notre-Dame, Luxembourg.
 
(5) INVESTCORP Investment Equity Limited is a Cayman Islands corporation, and a
    wholly-owned subsidiary of Investcorp, with its address at P.O. Box 1111,
    West Wind Building, George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.
 
(6) SIPCO Limited may be deemed to control Investcorp through its control of a
    company that indirectly is the beneficial owner of 100% of Investcorp's
    shares. SIPCO Limited's address is P.O. Box 1111, West Wind Building, George
    Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.
 
(7) CIP Limited ("CIP") owns no stock in Falcon. CIP indirectly owns less than
    0.1% of the stock in each of Ballet Limited, Denary Limited, Gleam Limited,
    Highlands Limited, Noble Limited, Outrigger Limited, Quill Limited, Radial
    Limited, Shoreline Limited and Zinnia Limited (see (8) below). CIP may be
    deemed to share beneficial ownership of the shares of voting stock of Falcon
    held by such entities because CIP acts as a director of such entities, and
    the ultimate beneficial shareholders of each of those entities have granted
    to CIP revocable proxies in companies that own those entities' stock. None
    of the ultimate beneficial owners of such entities beneficially owns
    individually more than 5% of Falcon's voting stock.
 
(8) Each of CIP Limited, Ballet Limited, Denary Limited, Gleam Limited,
    Highlands Limited, Noble Limited, Outrigger Limited, Quill Limited, Radial
    Limited, Shoreline Limited and Zinnia Limited is a Cayman Islands
    corporation with its address at P.O. Box 2197, West Wind Building, George
    Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.
 
                                       62
<PAGE>
                              CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
 
    Financing for the Recapitalization was provided in part by approximately
$134.6 million of capital provided by Investcorp, its affiliates and other
international investors organized by Investcorp. An affiliate of Investcorp was
paid a fee of $5.0 million for services rendered outside of the United States in
connection with the raising of the equity capital from the international
investors.
 
    In connection with the Recapitalization, the Company paid Investcorp
International, Inc. ("III"), an affiliate of Investcorp, advisory fees
aggregating $4.2 million, and Invifin S.A., an affiliate of Investcorp, received
fees aggregating $5.8 million for providing a standby commitment to fund the
amount of the senior subordinated indebtedness and the Credit Facility. The
Company also entered into an agreement for management advisory and consulting
services (the "Management Agreement") for a five-year term with III, pursuant to
which the Company prepaid III $5.0 million upon the consummation of the
Recapitalization.
 
    The Company has in the past entered into agreements or arrangements with
affiliates relating to legal services, acquisition services, financing services,
and consulting arrangements. The fairness and reasonableness of any compensation
paid to such affiliates and any material transactions between the Company and
such affiliates in the future will be approved by a majority of the
disinterested members of the Board of Directors or by an independent firm
selected by such Board members. The Company believes that the terms and
resulting costs of all related party transactions and agreements are no less
favorable than those which could have been obtained from non-affiliated parties.
 
    In the past, the Company shared management, administrative and other
responsibilities with Eagle pursuant to a Corporate Services Agreement. Total
fees paid under this agreement were $2.4 million in 1994, $2.3 million in 1995
and $2.6 million in 1996. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Corporate
Services Agreement was terminated upon consummation of the Recapitalization and
replaced with a similar agreement covering a transition period ending December
31, 1997, which does not cover management services and reduces the other
services provided by Eagle thereunder.
 
    The law firm of Rosenberg & Liebentritt, P.C., of which Sheli Z. Rosenberg
is a member, has rendered legal services to the Company. The Company paid this
law firm $0.4 million in 1995 and $0.1 million in 1996.
 
    Prior to November 1994, the Company was included in the consolidated federal
income tax returns of GAMI, the parent company of Eagle. In addition, the
Company filed certain combined state tax returns with GAMI until the
distribution to EHL in 1996. In December 1996, the Company paid GAMI $4.6
million for a final tax sharing payment for tax liabilities incurred while it
was included in GAMI's income tax returns, pursuant to the GAMI-Falcon
Disaffiliation Tax Sharing Agreement.
 
    In connection with the Initial Public Offering, the Company agreed with the
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation that for five years it will remain jointly
and severally liable for certain pension liabilities of GAMI, Eagle and their
subsidiaries without regard to whether or not the sale of the Company's common
stock to the public was sufficient to remove the Company from the group having
joint and several liability for these pension plan liabilities. GAMI and Eagle
have agreed to hold the Company harmless from any pension plan liabilities not
attributable to the Company's pension plans, and the Company has agreed to hold
them harmless from any liabilities attributable to such plans. The Company and
Eagle have agreed to hold each other harmless from certain liabilities unrelated
to the other's business.
 
    In 1994, the Company loaned money to certain officers of the Company to
enable such officers to purchase shares in the Initial Public Offering at $12.00
per share. The Company loaned $0.9 million to Mr. Hall, $0.2 million to Mr.
Cottone, $0.2 million to Mr. Brake, $0.2 million to Mr. Athas, $0.3 million to
Mr. Allen, $0.3 million to Mr. Fischer and $0.1 million to Mr. Lee. The loans
mature in seven years or earlier in certain circumstances and bear interest at
the rate of 7.5% per year, compounded semi-annually payable upon maturity of the
loans. At December 31, 1996, the balances of these loans were $1.04 million,
 
                                       63
<PAGE>
$0.26 million, $0.26 million, $0.21 million, $0.31 million, $0.31 million and
$0.16 million for Messrs. Hall, Cottone, Brake, Athas, Allen, Fischer and Lee,
respectively. See "Management--Executive Compensation--Stock Purchase Plan." In
connection with the Recapitalization, the Stock Purchase Agreement pursuant to
which the loans were issued was amended to permit the loans to remain
outstanding.
 
    Certain members of Falcon's management and other accredited investors
purchased an aggregate of $0.683 million in aggregate principal amount at
maturity of Old Discount Notes and Management Discount Notes in the Original
Offering. The Management Discount Notes are not included in the Exchange Offer.
In addition, following the Recapitalization, certain members of Falcon's
management purchased 62,800 shares of the non-voting Class C Stock at a price of
$17.75 per share from Investcorp or its affiliates in order to provide
management with the opportunity to increase its aggregate ownership from the
amount that management retained in the Merger. In addition, the Company made
loans, in amounts equal to 50% of the aggregate price of the shares to be
purchased, to certain of such members of management who did not already have
loans outstanding from the Company in connection with the loan program described
in the prior paragraph. Such loans will mature in seven years, will bear
interest at the same rate as Falcon's new senior secured revolving credit
facility, and must be repaid with 20% of the after-tax portion of such
employee's annual bonus.
 
AGREEMENTS WITH CERTAIN STOCKHOLDERS
 
    Prior to the consummation of the Recapitalization, FBP and Falcon entered
into voting agreements (collectively, the "Voting Agreements") with EHL and with
certain other stockholders who are members of Falcon's management (collectively,
the "Subject Stockholders"). Pursuant to the Voting Agreements, the Subject
Stockholders, who owned, as of the Record Date, an aggregate of approximately
71% of the outstanding shares of Class A Stock, agreed, among other things and
subject to certain conditions, to vote in favor of the Merger Agreement and the
Merger. The Voting Agreements also provided that the Subject Stockholders would
make elections to retain 1,034,020 shares of Class A Stock. As a result of other
stockholders also electing to retain shares of Class A Stock and the resulting
proration, the Subject Stockholders retained approximately 940,000 shares of
Class A Stock.
 
    The Voting Agreement among EHL, FBP and Falcon created certain rights and
obligations in addition to those set forth in the Voting Agreements among
certain officers of Falcon, FBP and Falcon. Among other things, this agreement
provided that EHL would cause Eagle, its wholly-owned subsidiary, to provide
certain corporate services to Falcon after the Recapitalization at commercially
reasonable rates. This agreement also provided that, prior to the
Recapitalization, EHL and Falcon, along with the investors in FBP who receive
Falcon voting stock pursuant to the Recapitalization ("Voting Stock Investors"),
would enter into a Stockholder Rights Agreement. The Stockholder Rights
Agreement, as entered into at the consummation of the Recapitalization, contains
the following provisions: (i) the right of first offer in favor of Falcon and
Investcorp Investment Equity Limited in the event that EHL proposes to sell its
Falcon stock to another person; (ii) the right in favor of the investors in FBP
who received voting and non-voting stock in the Recapitalization to require EHL
to sell its entire equity interest in Falcon upon the same terms and conditions
agreeable to such investors; (iii) the right in favor of EHL to purchase
securities offered by the Company in certain equity financings in order to allow
EHL to maintain its level of equity ownership interest; (iv) the right in favor
of EHL to sell shares in a change-of-control transaction proposed by Voting
Stock Investors; (v) certain registration rights in favor of EHL; (vi) the
obligation of EHL to enter certain "lock-up" agreements with underwriters in
future public offers; and (vii) so long as EHL holds a certain percentage of the
Class A stock, the right of EHL to receive certain information about the
business and financial performance of Falcon. In connection with the
consummation of the Recapitalization, the eight members of management of Falcon
who are listed under the heading "Management--Directors and Executive Officers
of the Company" entered into certain Stockholder Agreements containing
provisions restricting the transfer of their Falcon shares, providing certain
put and call rights and granting Falcon the right to purchase the shares of its
stock held by an employee upon his or her termination.
 
                                       64
<PAGE>
                              THE RECAPITALIZATION
 
THE MERGER
 
    On March 20, 1997, the Company entered into the Merger Agreement with FBP.
The Merger Agreement contemplated that FBP would be merged with and into Falcon,
and each outstanding share of the Class A Stock would be converted into either
(i) $17.75 in cash (the "Cash Price"), or (ii) at the election of the holder of
the Class A Stock, the right to retain one share of Class A Stock (a "Non-Cash
Election"). On June 17, 1997, the Merger and the adoption of the Merger
Agreement were approved by the vote of a majority of the shares of Falcon Class
A Stock entitled to vote thereon, and FBP was merged with and into Falcon, with
Falcon continuing as the surviving corporation. At the consummation of the
Merger, 19,014,258 of the then issued and outstanding shares of Class A Stock
were converted into cash and 1,034,017 shares were retained by existing
stockholders. In addition, each person who, immediately prior to the
consummation of the Recapitalization, held an option to purchase shares of the
Class A Stock received a cash payment equal to the product of (i) the difference
between the Cash Price and the option exercise price multiplied by (ii) the
number of options held by such person. Each issued and outstanding share of
capital stock of FBP was converted into a share of capital stock of Falcon upon
the consummation of the Recapitalization.
 
CAPITAL STOCK FOLLOWING THE RECAPITALIZATION
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               SHARES OUTSTANDING
TITLE                                                                       AUTHORIZED SHARES   AT JUNE 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------  -------------------
<S>                                                                         <C>                <C>
Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share...........................        1,034,020          1,034,017
Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share...........................        6,900,000          6,721,537
Class C Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share...........................        2,048,980            844,273
Class D Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share...........................           17,000             17,000
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share...................................       10,000,000                  0
                                                                            -----------------       ----------
Total.....................................................................       20,000,000          8,616,827
                                                                            -----------------       ----------
                                                                            -----------------       ----------
</TABLE>
 
    Holders of the Class A Stock are entitled to one vote per share and holders
of Class D Common Stock are entitled to 446 votes for each share of such stock
held on all matters as to which stockholders may be entitled to vote pursuant to
the DGCL. Upon the occurrence, at any future date, of a sale of 100% of the
outstanding equity securities of Falcon or a public offering of any equity
securities of Falcon, each share of Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D Common
Stock of the Company will convert into one share of Common Stock of the Company.
 
THE CREDIT FACILITY
 
    GENERAL.  As part of the Recapitalization, the Company entered into the
Credit Facility with The Chase Manhattan Bank ("Chase"), as administrative
agent, and the several lenders from time to time parties thereto, pursuant to a
commitment letter and related term sheet, both of which are dated May 7, 1997
(the "Commitment Letter" and the "Term Sheet", respectively). The Credit
Facility consists of the Term Loan Facility in an aggregate principal amount of
$175.0 million and the Revolving Facility in an aggregate principal amount of up
to $125.0 million (together with the Term Loan Facility, the "Loans"). The Term
Loan Facility will mature in June 2005 and the Revolving Facility will mature in
June 2003.
 
    All obligations of the Company are unconditionally guaranteed by each of the
Subsidiaries of the Company other than special purpose vehicles ("SPVs") in
connection with the Receivables Securitization Program and subsidiaries deemed
to be immaterial. Indebtedness under the Credit Facility is secured by a first
priority security interest in (i) all of the capital stock of each of the
Company's Subsidiaries and 65% of the capital stock of any foreign subsidiary
owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries other than
 
                                       65
<PAGE>
SPVs, (ii) substantially all of the inventory, equipment and real property of
the Company and its Subsidiaries other than SPVs and (iii) substantially all
other tangible and intangible assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries other
than SPVs, but excluding, among other things, receivables sold in connection
with the Receivables Securitization Program.
 
    TERM LOAN FACILITY.  The Term Loan Facility consists of a term loan in an
aggregate principal amount of $175.0 million, made in a single drawing upon the
consummation of the Recapitalization. The Term Loan Facility will mature on June
17, 2005 and installments of the Term Loan Facility will be due in aggregate
principal amounts of $1.0 million per annum for the first five years after the
Recapitalization. Thereafter, the Company will make repayments in quarterly
installments increasing from $9.5 million to $18.0 million, with a final payment
of $36.0 million on June 17, 2005.
 
    REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY.  The Revolving Facility consists of a revolving
credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $125.0 million. The Company
is entitled to draw amounts under the New Credit Facility to finance
acquisitions and to meet the Company's working capital requirements. The
Revolving Facility includes sub-limits for letters of credit and for swing line
loans ("Swing Line Loans") available on same-day notice. The Revolving Facility
will mature on June 17, 2003.
 
    INTEREST RATES.  Interest accrues on the Loans with reference to the
alternate base rate (the "Alternate Base Rate") plus the applicable interest
margin. The Company may elect that all or a portion of the Loans, other than
Swing Line Loans, bear interest at the eurodollar rate (the "Eurodollar Rate")
plus the applicable interest margin. The Alternate Base Rate is defined as, on
any date, the highest of (i) the Federal Funds Rate, as published by the Federal
Reserve Bank of New York, plus 1/2 of 1%, (ii) the secondary market rate for
three-month certificates of deposit of money center banks, adjusted for reserves
and assessments, plus 1.0% and (iii) the prime commercial lending rate of Chase.
The Eurodollar Rate is defined as the rate at which eurodollar deposits for one,
two, three or six months or (if and when available to all of the relevant
lenders) nine or 12 months are offered to Chase in the interbank eurodollar
market. The applicable interest margin for the Term Loan Facility is 2.0% for
Base Rate loans and 3.0% for Eurodollar Rate loans. The applicable interest
margin for the Revolving Facility is 1.5% for Base Rate loans and 2.5% for
Eurodollar Rate loans. The interest margins on the Revolving Facility are
subject to reduction based on the Company's ability to meet certain financial
tests.
 
    MANDATORY AND OPTIONAL PREPAYMENT.  The Term Loan Facility shall be prepaid,
subject to certain conditions and exceptions, with (i) 100% of the net proceeds
of any incurrence of indebtedness (other than permitted indebtedness) by the
Company or its subsidiaries, (ii) after the repayment of the Securities in
connection with the exercise by the Company of certain redemption options
available to the Company in connection with a public offering described under
"Description of the Securities," 50% of the net proceeds of issuances of equity
after the Recapitalization by the Company or any subsidiary and (iii) 100% of
the net proceeds of certain asset dispositions. In addition, commencing in
fiscal 1998, the Company will be required to make annual prepayments or
commitment reductions on the Term Loan Facility and the Revolving Facility in an
amount equal to 50% of the excess cash flow (as defined in the Credit Facility)
of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. The Credit Facility
provides that the Company may prepay Loans in whole or in part without penalty,
subject to minimum prepayments and reimbursement of the lenders' breakage and
redeployment costs in the case of prepayment of Eurodollar Rate loans.
 
    COVENANTS.  The Credit Facility contains certain covenants and other
requirements of the Company and its Subsidiaries. In general, the affirmative
covenants provide for mandatory reporting by the Company of financial and other
information to the agent and notice by the Company to the agent upon the
occurrence of certain events. The affirmative covenants also include standard
covenants requiring the Company to operate its business in an orderly manner and
consistent with past practice.
 
    The Credit Facility also contains certain negative covenants and
restrictions on actions by the Company including, without limitation,
restrictions on indebtedness, liens, guarantee obligations, mergers,
 
                                       66
<PAGE>
asset dispositions not in the ordinary course of business, investments, loans,
advances and acquisitions, dividends and other restricted payments, capital
expenditures, transactions with affiliates, change in business conducted and
prepayment and amendments of subordinated indebtedness. The Credit Facility
requires the Company to comply with certain financial covenants including
interest coverage ratios and a maximum leverage ratio.
 
    EVENTS OF DEFAULT.  The Credit Facility contains certain customary events of
default including, without limitation, non-payment of principal, interest or
fees, violation of covenants, inaccuracy of representations and warranties in
any material respect, cross default to certain other indebtedness and
agreements, bankruptcy and insolvency events, material judgments and
liabilities, defaults or judgments under ERISA, and change of control.
 
RECEIVABLES SECURITIZATION PROGRAM
 
    In connection with the Recapitalization, the Company amended its Receivables
Securitization Program, which provides the Company with the ability to sell,
with limited recourse, on a continuous basis, an undivided interest in all of
its accounts receivable for cash, while maintaining a residual interest in the
receivables. Market Street Funding Corporation, an affiliate of PNC Bank
National Association ("PNC"), provides the five-year, $100.0 million Receivables
Securitization Program. PNC serves as program administrator and liquidity agent
with respect to an associated liquidity facility.
 
                                       67
<PAGE>
                         DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES
 
    THE TERMS OF THE NOTES AND THE DISCOUNT NOTES ARE IDENTICAL IN ALL MATERIAL
RESPECTS TO THE OLD NOTES AND THE OLD DISCOUNT NOTES, RESPECTIVELY, EXCEPT FOR
CERTAIN TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS AND REGISTRATION RIGHTS RELATING TO THE OLD NOTES
AND OLD DISCOUNT NOTES. THE DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES CONTAINED HEREIN
ASSUMES THAT ALL OLD NOTES AND OLD DISCOUNT NOTES ARE EXCHANGED FOR NOTES AND
DISCOUNT NOTES, RESPECTIVELY, IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER. TO THE EXTENT THAT OLD
NOTES REMAIN OUTSTANDING AFTER THE CONSUMMATION OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER, OLD NOTES
AND NOTES WILL BE REDEEMED OR REPURCHASED PRO RATA PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS
CONTAINED HEREIN. SIMILARLY, TO THE EXTENT THAT OLD DISCOUNT NOTES AND THE
MANAGEMENT DISCOUNT NOTES, WHICH ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER, REMAIN
OUTSTANDING AFTER CONSUMMATION OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER, OLD DISCOUNT NOTES,
MANAGEMENT DISCOUNT NOTES AND DISCOUNT NOTES WILL BE REDEEMED OR REPURCHASED PRO
RATA PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS CONTAINED HEREIN. IN ADDITION, AS THE OLD NOTES
WERE, AND THE NOTES WILL BE, ISSUED UNDER THE NOTE INDENTURE, TO THE EXTENT THAT
OLD NOTES REMAIN OUTSTANDING AFTER CONSUMMATION OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER, ANY
ACTION DESCRIBED HEREIN AS PERMITTED OR REQUIRED TO BE TAKEN THEREUNDER BY A
SPECIFIED PORTION OF THE HOLDERS OF THE NOTES MAY ONLY BE TAKEN BY SUCH PORTION
OF THE HOLDERS OF THE OLD NOTES AND THE NOTES, COUNTED AS A SINGLE SERIES.
SIMILARLY, AS THE OLD DISCOUNT NOTES AND THE MANAGEMENT DISCOUNT NOTES WERE, AND
THE DISCOUNT NOTES WILL BE, ISSUED UNDER THE DISCOUNT NOTE INDENTURE, TO THE
EXTENT THAT OLD DISCOUNT NOTES AND THE MANAGEMENT DISCOUNT NOTES REMAIN
OUTSTANDING AFTER CONSUMMATION OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER, ANY ACTION DESCRIBED
HEREIN AS PERMITTED OR REQUIRED TO BE TAKEN THEREUNDER BY A SPECIFIED PORTION OF
THE HOLDERS OF THE DISCOUNT NOTES MAY ONLY BE TAKEN BY SUCH PORTION OF THE
HOLDERS OF THE OLD DISCOUNT NOTES, THE MANAGEMENT DISCOUNT NOTES AND THE NOTES,
COUNTED AS A SINGLE SERIES.
 
    THE DEFINITIONS OF CERTAIN TERMS USED IN THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY ARE SET FORTH
BELOW UNDER "--CERTAIN DEFINITIONS." FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SUMMARY, THE TERM
"COMPANY" REFERS ONLY TO FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND NOT TO ANY OF ITS
SUBSIDIARIES.
 
GENERAL
 
    The Old Notes were and the Notes will be issued pursuant to an indenture
(the "Note Indenture") by and among the Company, the Guarantors and Harris Trust
and Savings Bank, as trustee (the "Note Trustee"). The Old Discount Notes (and
the Management Discount Notes) were and the Discount Notes will be issued
pursuant to an indenture (the "Discount Note Indenture" and, together with the
Note Indenture, the "Indentures") by and among the Company, the Guarantors, and
Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as trustee (the "Discount Note Trustee" and,
together with the Senior Subordinated Note Trustee, the "Trustees"). The terms
of the Securities include those stated in the Indentures and those made part of
the Indentures by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the
"Trust Indenture Act"). The Securities are subject to all such terms, and
Holders of Securities are referred to the Indentures and the Trust Indenture Act
for a statement thereof. The following summary of the material provisions of the
Indentures does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the Indentures, including the definitions therein of certain terms
used below.
 
    The Securities will be general unsecured obligations of the Company and will
be subordinated in right of payment to all current and future Senior Debt. As of
June 30, 1997, after giving pro forma effect to the Recapitalization as if it
had occurred on such date, the aggregate amount of consolidated indebtedness of
the Company would have been $425.1 million, $177.7 million of which would have
been Senior Debt. The Indentures will permit the incurrence of additional Senior
Debt in the future. The Notes and the Discount Notes will rank PARI PASSU in
right of payment.
 
    As of the issuance of the Securities, all of the Company's Subsidiaries,
except the SPV, will be Restricted Subsidiaries. However, under certain
circumstances, the Company will be able to designate current or future
Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries. Unrestricted Subsidiaries will not be
subject to many of the restrictive covenants set forth in the Indentures.
 
                                       68
<PAGE>
PRINCIPAL AND MATURITY OF AND INTEREST ON THE NOTES
 
    The Notes will be general unsecured obligations of the Company, limited in
aggregate principal amount to $145.0 million, and will mature on June 15, 2007.
Interest on the Notes will accrue at the rate of 9 1/2% per annum and will be
payable, in cash, semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15,
commencing on December 15, 1997, to Holders of record on the immediately
preceding June 1 and December 1. Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most
recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid,
from the date of original issuance. Additionally, interest on the Notes will
accrue from the last interest payment date on which interest was paid on the Old
Notes surrendered in exchange therefor or, if no interest has been paid on the
Old Notes, from the date of the issuance of the Old Notes. Interest will be
computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.
Principal, premium, if any, interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the
Notes will be payable at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such
purpose within the City and State of New York or, at the option of the Company,
payment of interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, may be made by check mailed
to the Holders of the Notes at their respective addresses set forth in the
register of Holders of Notes; PROVIDED that all payments of principal, premium,
if any, interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, with respect to any Notes the
Holders of which have given wire transfer instructions to the Company will be
required to be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the
accounts specified by the Holders thereof. Until otherwise designated by the
Company, the Company's office or agency in New York will be the office of the
Note Trustee maintained for such purpose. The Notes will be issued in
denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.
 
PRINCIPAL AND MATURITY OF AND INTEREST ON THE DISCOUNT NOTES
 
    The Discount Notes will be limited to $169.317 million in aggregate
principal amount at maturity and will mature on June 15, 2007. The Old Discount
Notes were offered at a substantial discount from their principal amount at
maturity. See "Risk Factors--Original Issue Discount Consequences" and "Certain
Federal Income Tax Consequences." No interest will accrue on the Discount Notes
until June 15, 2002 (the "Full Accretion Date"). Prior to the Full Accretion
Date, the Accreted Value will accrete (representing the amortization of original
issue discount) between the date of original issuance and such date, on a semi-
annual bond equivalent basis using a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day
months, such that the Accreted Value shall be equal to the full principal amount
of the Discount Notes on the Full Accretion Date. Additionally, the Accreted
Value of the Discount Notes, when issued, will equal the Accreted Value of the
Old Discount Notes surrendered in exchange therefor. The initial Accreted Value
per $1,000 principal amount of Discount Notes will be $599.82 (representing the
original purchase price of the Old Discount Notes) plus any Accreted Value which
had accreted on the Old Discount Notes exchanged therefor. Beginning on June 15,
2002, interest on the Discount Notes will accrue at the rate of 10 1/2% per
annum and will be payable in cash semi-annually, in arrears, on June 15 and
December 15, commencing on December 15, 2002, to Holders of record on the
immediately preceding June 1 and December 1. Interest on the Discount Notes will
accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no
interest has been paid, from the Full Accretion Date. Interest will be computed
on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. Principal,
premium, if any, interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Discount Notes
will be payable at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such
purpose within the City and State of New York or, at the option of the Company,
payment of interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, may be made by check mailed
to the Holders of the Discount Notes at their respective addresses set forth in
the register of Holders of Discount Notes; PROVIDED that all payments of
principal, premium, if any, interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, with
respect to any Discount Notes the Holders of which have given wire transfer
instructions to the Company will be required to be made by wire transfer of
immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Holders thereof.
Until otherwise designated by the Company, the Company's office or agency in New
York will be the office of the Discount Note Trustee maintained for such
purpose. The Discount Notes will be issued in denominations of $1,000 and
integral multiples thereof.
 
                                       69
<PAGE>
SUBORDINATION
 
    The payment of principal, premium, if any, interest and Liquidated Damages,
if any, on the Securities will be subordinated in right of payment, as set forth
in the Indentures, to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt, whether
outstanding on the Original Issue Date or thereafter incurred.
 
    Upon any payment or distribution to creditors of the Company in a
liquidation or dissolution of the Company or in a bankruptcy, reorganization,
insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding relating to the Company or its
property, an assignment for the benefit of creditors or any marshalling of the
Company's assets and liabilities, the holders of Senior Debt will be entitled to
receive payment in full, in cash or Cash Equivalents, of all Obligations due in
respect of such Senior Debt (including interest after the commencement of any
such proceeding at the rate specified in the applicable Senior Debt, whether or
not allowed or allowable in such proceeding) before the Holders of Securities
will be entitled to receive any payment with respect to the Securities, and
until all Obligations with respect to Senior Debt are paid in full, in cash or
Cash Equivalents, any payment or distribution to which the Holders of Securities
would be entitled shall be made to the holders of Senior Debt (except that
Holders of Securities may receive and retain (i) Permitted Junior Securities and
(ii) payments made from the trust described under "--Legal Defeasance and
Covenant Defeasance"). The term "payment" means, with respect to the Securities,
any payment, whether in cash or other assets or property, of interest, principal
(including redemption price and purchase price), premium, Liquidated Damages or
any other amount on, of or in respect of the Securities, any other acquisition
of Securities and any deposit into the trust described under "--Legal Defeasance
and Covenant Defeasance," below. The verb "pay" has a correlative meaning.
 
    The Company also may not make any payment or distribution upon or in respect
of the Securities (except in Permitted Junior Securities or from the trust
described under "--Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance") if (i) a default
in the payment of any Obligations with respect to Designated Senior Debt occurs
and is continuing (a "payment default") or any other default on Designated
Senior Debt occurs and the maturity of such Designated Senior Debt is
accelerated in accordance with its terms or (ii) a default, other than a payment
default, occurs and is continuing with respect to Designated Senior Debt that
permits holders of the Designated Senior Debt as to which such default relates
to accelerate its maturity (a "non-payment default") and, in the case of this
clause (ii) only, the appropriate Trustee receives a notice of such default (a
"Payment Blockage Notice") from the Company or the holders of any Designated
Senior Debt. Payments on the Securities may and shall be resumed (a) in the case
of a payment default, upon the date on which such default is cured or waived
and, in the case of Designated Senior Debt that has been accelerated, such
acceleration has been rescinded, and (b) in case of a non-payment default, the
earlier of the date on which such non-payment default is cured or waived or 179
days after the date on which the applicable Payment Blockage Notice is received,
unless the maturity of any Designated Senior Debt has been accelerated. No new
period of payment blockage may be commenced on account of any non-payment
default unless and until 360 days have elapsed since the initial effectiveness
of the immediately prior Payment Blockage Notice. No non-payment default that
existed or was continuing on the date of delivery of any Payment Blockage Notice
to the appropriate Trustee shall be, or be made, the basis for a subsequent
Payment Blockage Notice unless such default shall have been cured or waived for
a period of not less than 90 days.
 
    The Indentures further require the Company to promptly notify holders of
Senior Debt if payment of the Securities is accelerated because of an Event of
Default. The Company may not pay any such accelerated Securities until five
Business Days after such holders receive notice of such acceleration and,
thereafter, may make such payment only if otherwise permissible under the
subordination provisions of the Indentures.
 
    As a result of the subordination provisions described above, in the event of
a liquidation or insolvency, Holders of Securities may recover less ratably than
other creditors of the Company including holders of Senior Debt and trade
creditors. The Indentures limit, subject to certain financial tests and
exceptions, the
 
                                       70
<PAGE>
amount of additional Indebtedness, including Senior Debt, that the Company and
its Subsidiaries can incur. See "--Certain Covenants--Incurrence of Indebtedness
and Issuance of Preferred Stock."
 
SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES
 
    The Company's payment obligations under each of the Notes and the Discount
Notes will be jointly and severally guaranteed (the "Subsidiary Guarantees") by
the Guarantors. The Subsidiary Guarantees of each Guarantor will be subordinated
to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt of such Guarantors on
substantially the same terms as the Securities are subordinated to Senior Debt
of the Company. The obligations of each Guarantor under its Subsidiary
Guarantees will be limited so as not to constitute a fraudulent conveyance under
applicable law.
 
    The Indentures provide that no Guarantor may consolidate with or merge with
or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person) another Person
(other than the Company or another Guarantor) unless (i) subject to the
provisions of the following paragraph, the Person formed by or surviving any
such consolidation or merger (if other than such Guarantor) assumes all the
obligations of such Guarantor pursuant to a supplemental indenture in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustees, under the Securities and the
Indentures; (ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default
or Event of Default exists; and (iii) the Company will, at the time of such
transaction and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such transaction had
occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, either (x) be
permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of the
covenant described below under the caption "--Incurrence of Indebtedness and
Issuance of Preferred Stock" or (y) have a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio at least
equal to the actual Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for such four-quarter reference
period. Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (ii) and (iii), (a) any Restricted
Subsidiary may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its
properties and assets to any Guarantor and (b) any Guarantor may merge with an
Affiliate incorporated solely for the purpose of reincorporating such Guarantor
in another jurisdiction.
 
    The Indentures provide that in the event of a sale or other disposition of
all of the assets of any Guarantor, by way of merger, consolidation or
otherwise, or a sale or other disposition of all of the capital stock of any
Guarantor, then such Guarantor will be released and relieved of any obligations
under its Subsidiary Guarantees; provided that the Net Proceeds of such sale or
other disposition are applied in accordance with the applicable provisions of
the Indentures. See "--Repurchase at Option of Holders-- Asset Sales."
 
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
 
    THE NOTES.  Except as described in the following paragraphs, the Notes will
not be redeemable at the Company's option prior to June 15, 2002. Thereafter,
the Notes will be subject to redemption at any time at the option of the
Company, in whole or in part, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days'
notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount)
set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages thereon,
if any, to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month
period beginning on June 15 of the years indicated below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR                                                        PERCENTAGE
- ----------------------------------------------------------  -----------
<S>                                                         <C>
2002......................................................     104.750%
2003......................................................     103.167%
2004......................................................     101.583%
2005 and thereafter.......................................     100.000%
</TABLE>
 
    In addition, at any time and from time to time, prior to June 15, 2000, the
Company may redeem up to 35% of the original aggregate principal amount of Notes
at a redemption price of 109.5% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued
and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages thereon, if any, to the
 
                                       71
<PAGE>
redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of a public offering of common stock
of the Company; provided that at least 65% of the original aggregate principal
amount of Notes remain outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such
redemption; and PROVIDED, further, that such redemption shall occur within 60
days of the date of the closing of such public offering.
 
    THE DISCOUNT NOTES.  Except as described in the following paragraphs, the
Discount Notes will not be redeemable at the Company's option prior to June 15,
2002. Thereafter, the Discount Notes will be subject to redemption at any time
at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, upon not less than 30 nor
more than 60 days' notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of
principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest and
Liquidated Damages thereon, if any, to the applicable redemption date, if
redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on June 15 of the years
indicated below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR                                                        PERCENTAGE
- ----------------------------------------------------------  -----------
<S>                                                         <C>
2002......................................................     105.250%
2003......................................................     103.500%
2004......................................................     101.750%
2005 and thereafter.......................................     100.000%
</TABLE>
 
    In addition, at any time and from time to time, prior to June 15, 2000, the
Company may, on any one or more occasions, redeem up to 35% of the aggregate
principal amount at maturity of Discount Notes at a redemption price of 110.5%
of the Accreted Value thereof (determined at the redemption date), plus accrued
and unpaid Liquidated Damages thereon, if any, to the redemption date, with the
net cash proceeds of a public offering of common stock of the Company; provided
that at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount at maturity of Discount
Notes remain outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such
redemption; and provided, further, that such redemption shall occur within 60
days of the date of the closing of such public offering.
 
    CHANGE OF CONTROL CALL.  At any time on or prior to June 15, 2002, either
series of Securities may be redeemed as a whole but not in part at the option of
the Company upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, upon not less than 30
nor more than 60 days' prior notice (but in no event may any such redemption
occur more than 90 days after the occurrence of such Change of Control) mailed
by first-class mail to each Holder's registered address, at a redemption price
equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus the Applicable Premium as of,
and accrued but unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to, the
redemption date, subject to the right of Holders on the relevant record date to
receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.
 
    "APPLICABLE PREMIUM" means, with respect to a Security at any redemption
date, the greater of (i) 1.0% of the principal amount (or, with respect to the
Discount Notes prior to the Full Accretion Date, the Accreted Value thereof) of
such Security or (ii) the excess of (A) the present value at such time of (1)
the redemption price of such Security at June 15, 2002 (such redemption price
being set forth in the tables above) plus (2) with respect to the Notes only,
all required interest payments due on such Notes through June 15, 2002
(excluding accrued but unpaid interest), computed using a discount rate equal to
the Treasury Rate plus 75 basis points, over (B) the principal amount (or, with
respect to the Discount Notes prior to the Full Accretion Date, the Accreted
Value thereof) of such Security, if greater.
 
    "TREASURY RATE" means the yield to maturity at the time of computation of
United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and
published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H. 15(519)
which has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the
redemption date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any
publicly available source or similar market data)) most nearly equal to the
period from the redemption date to June 15, 2002, provided, however, that if the
period from the redemption date to June 15, 2002 is not equal to the constant
maturity of a United States Treasury security for which a weekly average yield
is given, the Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear interpolation
(calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields
of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are given, except
 
                                       72
<PAGE>
that if the period from the redemption date to June 15, 2002 is less than one
year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury
securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.
 
SELECTION AND NOTICE
 
    If less than all of the Notes or the Discount Notes, as the case may be, are
to be redeemed at any time, selection of Securities for redemption will be made
by the Trustees in compliance with the requirements of the principal national
securities exchange, if any, on which the Securities are listed, or, if the
Securities are not so listed, on a pro rata basis (among the Securities of such
series only), by lot or by such method as the Trustees shall deem fair and
appropriate; provided that no Securities of $1,000 or less shall be redeemed in
part. Notices of redemption shall be mailed by first class mail at least 30 but
not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of Securities to
be redeemed at its registered address. Notices of redemption may not be
conditional. If any Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of
redemption that relates to such Security shall state the portion of the
principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A new Security in principal amount
equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued in the name of the Holder
thereof upon cancellation of the original Security. Securities called for
redemption become due on the date fixed for redemption. On and after the
redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on Securities or portions of them
called for redemption (or, with respect to redemptions of Discount Notes only,
if such redemption date is prior to the Full Accretion Date, the Discount Notes,
or any portion of them called for redemption, cease to accrete).
 
MANDATORY REDEMPTION
 
    Except as set forth below under "--Repurchase at the Option of Holders," the
Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments
with respect to the Securities.
 
REPURCHASE AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS
 
    CHANGE OF CONTROL
 
    Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, unless all Securities of such
series have been called for redemption pursuant to the provisions described
above under the caption "Optional Redemption," each Holder of Securities will
have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to
$1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) of such Holder's Securities pursuant to
the offer described below (the "Change of Control Offer") at an offer price in
cash (the "Change of Control Payment") equal to 101% of the aggregate principal
amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages thereon,
if any, to the date of purchase (or, with respect to Discount Notes only, if
such Change of Control Offer occurs prior to the Full Accretion Date, 101% of
the Accreted Value thereof on the date of repurchase plus accrued and unpaid
Liquidated Damages, if any). Within 30 days following any Change of Control,
unless notice of redemption of all Securities of the applicable series has then
been given pursuant to the provisions described under the caption "Optional
Redemption" above, the Company will mail a notice to each Holder describing the
transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control and offering
to repurchase Securities on the date specified in such notice, which date shall
be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice
is mailed (the "Change of Control Payment Date"), pursuant to the procedures
required by the Indentures and described in such notice. The Company will comply
with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other
securities laws and regulations to the extent such laws and regulations are
applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Securities as a result of a
Change of Control. To the extent that the provisions of any applicable
securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this covenant, the
Company will comply with such securities laws and regulations and will not be
deemed to have breached its obligations under this paragraph by virtue thereof.
 
                                       73
<PAGE>
    On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company will, to the extent
lawful, (1) accept for payment all Securities or portions thereof properly
tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer, (2) deposit with the Paying
Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all
Securities or portions thereof so tendered and (3) deliver or cause to be
delivered to the Trustees the Securities so accepted together with an Officers'
Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount (or, with respect to the
Discount Notes, if prior to the Full Accretion Date, the aggregate Accreted
Value) of Securities or portions thereof being purchased by the Company. The
Paying Agent will promptly mail to each Holder of Securities so tendered the
Change of Control Payment for such Securities, and the Trustees will promptly
authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder
a new Note or Discount Note, as the case may be, equal in principal amount to
any unpurchased portion of the Note or Discount Notes surrendered, if any;
provided that each such new Note or Discount Note will be in a principal amount
of $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof. The Indentures provide that, prior to
complying with the provisions of this covenant, but in any event within 90 days
following a Change of Control, the Company will either repay all outstanding
Senior Debt or obtain the requisite consents, if any, under all agreements
governing outstanding Senior Debt to permit the repurchase of Securities
required by this covenant, unless notice of redemption of all Securities of the
applicable series has then been given pursuant to the provisions described under
the caption "Optional Redemption" above and such redemption is permitted by the
terms of outstanding Senior Debt. The Company will publicly announce the results
of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of
Control Payment Date.
 
    The Change of Control provisions described above will be applicable whether
or not any other provisions of the Indentures are applicable. Except as
described above with respect to a Change of Control, the Indentures do not
contain provisions that permit the Holders of the Securities to require that the
Company repurchase or redeem the Securities in the event of a takeover,
recapitalization or similar transaction. The Change of Control purchase feature
is a result of negotiations between the Company and the Initial Purchasers.
Management has no present intention to engage in a transaction involving a
Change of Control, although it is possible that the Company would decide to do
so in the future. Subject to the limitations discussed below, the Company could,
in the future, enter into certain transactions, including acquisitions,
refinancings or other recapitalizations, that would not constitute a Change of
Control under the Indentures, but that could increase the amount of indebtedness
outstanding at such time or otherwise affect the Company's capital structure or
credit ratings.
 
    The Senior Credit Facility currently prohibits the Company from purchasing
any Securities, and also provides that certain change of control events with
respect to the Company would constitute a default thereunder. Any future credit
agreements or other agreements relating to Senior Debt to which the Company
becomes a party may contain similar restrictions and provisions. In the event a
Change of Control occurs at a time when the Company is prohibited from
purchasing Securities, the Company could seek the consent of its lenders to the
purchase of Securities or could attempt to refinance the borrowings that contain
such prohibition. If the Company does not obtain such a consent or repay such
borrowings, the Company will remain prohibited from purchasing Securities. In
such case, the Company's failure to purchase tendered Securities would
constitute an Event of Default under the Indentures which would, in turn,
constitute as default under the Senior Credit Facility. In such circumstances,
the subordination provisions in the Indentures would restrict payments to the
Holders of Securities.
 
    The Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a
Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the
manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth
in the Indentures applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company
and purchases all Securities validly tendered and not withdrawn under such
Change of Control Offer.
 
    "CHANGE OF CONTROL" means such time as (i) any "person" or "group" (within
the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act), other than one
or more members of the Initial Control Group, is or becomes the "beneficial
owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except
 
                                       74
<PAGE>
that a person shall be deemed to have "beneficial ownership" of all shares that
any such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable
immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of more
than 40% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company; provided
that the Initial Control Group "beneficially owns" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 and
13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, in the aggregate a lesser
percentage of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company than
such other person and does not have the right or ability by voting power,
contract or otherwise to elect or designate for election a majority of the board
of directors of the Company (for purposes of this definition, such other person
shall be deemed to beneficially own any Voting Stock of a specified corporation
held by a parent corporation, if such other person "beneficially owns" (as
defined in this definition), directly or indirectly, more than 40% of the voting
power of the Voting Stock of such parent corporation, and the Initial Control
Group "beneficially owns" (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the
Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, in the aggregate, a lesser percentage of
the voting power of the Voting Stock of such parent corporation and does not
have the right or ability by voting power, contract or otherwise to elect or
designate for election a majority of the board of directors of such parent
corporation) or (ii) following the first public offering of Voting Stock of the
Company after the Original Issue Date, any person (as defined above) other than
the Initial Control Group, (A) nominates one or more individuals for election to
the Board of Directors of the Company, (B) solicits proxies, authorization or
consents in connection therewith and (C) such number of nominees elected to
serve on the board of directors in such election and all previous elections
after the Original Issue Date represents a majority of the Board of Directors of
the Company following such election.
 
    "INITIAL CONTROL GROUP" means Investcorp, its Affiliates, members of the
Management Group, the investors who are the initial holders of the Capital Stock
of the Company, any Person acting in the capacity of an underwriter or initial
purchaser in connection with a public or private offering of the Company's
Capital Stock, any employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or any participant therein, a trustee or other fiduciary holding
securities under any such employee benefit plan or any Permitted Transferee of
any of the foregoing Persons.
 
    "PERMITTED TRANSFEREE" means, with respect to any Person, (i) any other
Person, directly or indirectly, controlling or controlled by or under direct or
indirect common control with such specified Person, (ii) the spouse, former
spouse, lineal descendants, heirs, executors, administrators, testamentary
trustees, legatees or beneficiaries of any such Person, (iii) a trust, the
beneficiaries of which, or a corporation or partnership or limited liability
company, the stockholders, general or limited partners or members of which,
include only such Person or his or her spouse, lineal descendants or heirs, in
each case to whom such Person has transferred the beneficial ownership of any
securities of the Company and (iv) any investment fund or investment entity that
is a subsidiary of such Person or a Permitted Transferee of such Person.
 
    ASSET SALES
 
    The Indentures provide that the Company will not, and will not permit any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless (i) the Company
(or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) receives consideration at the
time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the fair market value of the assets or
Equity Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of and (ii) at least 75%
of the consideration therefor received by the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents; provided that the amount
of (x) any liabilities (as shown on the Company's or such Restricted
Subsidiary's most recent balance sheet), of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary (other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the
Securities or, in the case of liabilities of a Restricted Subsidiary, the
Subsidiary Guarantee of such Subsidiary) that are assumed by the transferee of
any such assets and (y) any securities, notes or other obligations received by
the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are
converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash (to the extent
of the cash received) within 180 days after receipt, shall be deemed to be cash
for purposes of this provision; provided further, however, that this clause (ii)
shall not apply to any sale of interests in Unrestricted Subsidiaries.
 
                                       75
<PAGE>
    Within 360 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale,
the Company may apply such Net Proceeds, at its option, (a) to repay Senior Debt
or Pari Passu Indebtedness (provided that if the Company shall so reduce Pari
Passu Indebtedness, it will equally and ratably make an Asset Sale Offer (in
accordance with the procedures set forth below for an Asset Sale Offer) to all
Holders), (b) to invest properties and assets that will be used or useful in the
business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (c) to the acquisition of
a controlling interest in another business, the making of a capital expenditure
or the acquisition of other assets, in each case, in the same or a similar line
of business as the Company was engaged in on the Original Issue Date. Pending
the final application of any such Net Proceeds, the Company may temporarily
reduce borrowings under a Credit Facility or otherwise invest such Net Proceeds
in any manner that is not prohibited by the Indentures. Any Net Proceeds from
Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as provided in the first sentence
of this paragraph will be deemed to constitute "Excess Proceeds." When the
aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $5.0 million, each Indenture will
provide that the Company will (i) make an offer to all Holders of Securities,
and (ii) prepay, purchase or redeem (or make an offer to do so) any other Pari
Passu Indebtedness of the Company in accordance with provisions requiring the
Company to prepay, purchase or redeem such Indebtedness with the proceeds from
any asset sales (or offer to do so), pro rata in proportion to the respective
principal amounts (or accreted value, as applicable) of the Securities and such
other Indebtedness required to be prepaid, purchased or redeemed or tendered for
pursuant to such offer (an "Asset Sale Offer") to purchase the maximum principal
amount of Securities that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds, at an
offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof
plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages thereon, if any (or, if
such Asset Sale Offer is with respect to the Discount Notes prior to the Full
Accretion Date, 100% of the Accreted Value thereof on the date of purchase, plus
accrued and unpaid Liquidated Damages, if any), to the date of purchase, in
accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indentures. To the extent that
the aggregate principal amount of Securities (or, with respect to Discount Notes
prior to the Full Accretion Date only, the aggregate Accreted Value of Discount
Notes) tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess
Proceeds, the Company may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for general
corporate purposes. If the aggregate principal amount and/or Accreted Value, as
the case may be, of Securities surrendered by Holders thereof exceeds the amount
of Excess Proceeds, the Trustees shall select the Securities to be purchased on
a pro rata basis (among the Holders of each series of Securities and between the
two series, based upon the outstanding principal amount (or Accreted Value, as
applicable) thereof). Upon completion of such offer to purchase, the amount of
Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.
 
    The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the
Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the
extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase
of the Securities pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the
provisions of any applicable securities laws or regulations conflict with the
provisions of the Indentures, the Company will comply with such securities laws
and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations
described in the Indentures by virtue thereof.
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS
 
    RESTRICTED PAYMENTS
 
    The Indentures provide that the Company will not, and will not permit any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly: (i) declare or pay any
dividend or make any other payment or distribution (including, without
limitation, any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation) on
account of the Company's or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries' Equity Interests
(other than dividends or distributions payable in Equity Interests (other than
Disqualified Stock) of the Company); (ii) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire
or retire for value (including without limitation, in connection with any merger
or consolidation) any Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect
parent of the Company; (iii) make any payment on or with respect to, or
purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire
 
                                       76
<PAGE>
or retire for value any Indebtedness that is subordinated to the Securities,
except (A) a payment of interest or principal at Stated Maturity and (B) the
purchase, repurchase or other acquisition or retirement of Indebtedness in
anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or
final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of purchase,
repurchase or other acquisition or retirement; or (iv) make any Restricted
Investment (all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (i) through
(iv) above being collectively referred to as "Restricted Payments"), unless, at
the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment:
 
        (a) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing
    or would occur as a consequence thereof; and
 
        (b) the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after
    giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made
    at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, have been permitted
    to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed
    Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of the covenant
    described below under the caption "--Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance
    of Preferred Stock"; and
 
        (c) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all
    other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted
    Subsidiaries after the Original Issue Date (excluding Restricted Payments
    permitted by the next succeeding paragraph), is less than the sum (without
    duplication) of (i) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for
    the period (taken as one accounting period) from the beginning of the first
    fiscal quarter commencing after the Original Issue Date to the end of the
    Company's most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial
    statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment (or, if such
    Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, less 100% of such
    deficit), plus (ii) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds received by the
    Company from the issue or sale (other than to a Subsidiary) since the
    Original Issue Date of, or from capital contributions with respect to,
    Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock), plus (iii)
    the aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, if less) of Indebtedness
    of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary issued since the Original Issue
    Date (other than to a Subsidiary) that has been converted into Equity
    Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company, plus (iv) 100% of
    the aggregate net cash received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of
    the Company since the Original Issue Date from (A) Restricted Investments,
    whether through interest payments, principal payments, dividends or other
    distributions and payments, or the sale or other disposition (other than to
    the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) thereof made by the Company and its
    Restricted Subsidiaries or (B) a cash dividend from, or the sale (other than
    to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) of the stock of, an Unrestricted
    Subsidiary, plus (v) upon the redesignation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as
    a Restricted Subsidiary, the fair market value of the Investments of the
    Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than such Subsidiary) in such
    Subsidiary.
 
    The foregoing provisions will not prohibit:
 
    (i)  the payment of any dividend within 60 days after the date of
declaration thereof, if at said date of declaration such payment would have
complied with the provisions of the Indentures;
 
    (ii)  the redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other
acquisition of any Equity Interests or subordinated Indebtedness of the Company
in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent
sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) of, other Equity
Interests of, or a capital contribution to, the Company (other than any
Disqualified Stock); provided that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that
are utilized for any such redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or
other acquisition shall be excluded from clause (c)(ii) of the preceding
paragraph;
 
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    (iii)  the defeasance, redemption, repurchase, retirement or other
acquisition of subordinated Indebtedness made by an exchange for, or with the
net cash proceeds from an incurrence of, Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;
 
    (iv)  the payment of any dividend by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
to the holders of its common Equity Interests on a pro rata basis;
 
    (v)  to the extent constituting Restricted Payments, the Specified Affiliate
Payments;
 
    (vi)  the Subsidiary Distribution; and
 
    (vii)  payments that would otherwise be Restricted Payments in an aggregate
amount not to exceed $10.0 million.
 
    The Board of Directors may designate any Restricted Subsidiary to be an
Unrestricted Subsidiary if such designation would not cause a Default. For
purposes of making such determination, all outstanding Investments by the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (except to the extent repaid in cash) in
the Subsidiary so designated will be deemed to be Restricted Payments at the
time of such designation and will reduce the amount available for Restricted
Payments under the first paragraph of this covenant. The amount of such
outstanding Investments will be equal to the portion of the fair market value of
the net assets of any Subsidiary of the Company at the time that such Subsidiary
is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary that is represented by the interest of
the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in such Subsidiary, in each case as
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company. Such
designation will only be permitted if such Restricted Payment would be permitted
at such time and if such Restricted Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of
an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
 
    The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) shall be the fair
market value on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities
proposed to be transferred or issued by the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment. The fair
market value of any non-cash Restricted Payment shall be determined in good
faith by the Board of Directors of the Company.
 
    INCURRENCE OF INDEBTEDNESS AND ISSUANCE OF PREFERRED STOCK
 
    The Indentures provide that the Company will not, and will not permit any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue,
assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable,
contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively, "incur") any
Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) and that the Company will not issue any
Disqualified Stock and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to
issue any shares of preferred stock; provided, however, that the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) or
issue shares of Disqualified Stock and the Restricted Subsidiaries may issue
preferred stock, if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company's most
recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements
are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional
Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock or preferred stock is issued
would have been at least 1.75 to 1, if such Indebtedness is incurred or such
Disqualified Stock or preferred stock is issued on or prior to June 30, 1999,
and 2.00 to 1, if such Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock or
preferred stock is issued thereafter, in each case, determined on a pro forma
basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if
the additional Indebtedness had been incurred, or the Disqualified Stock or
preferred stock had been issued, as the case may be, at the beginning of such
four-quarter period.
 
    The provisions of the first paragraph of this covenant will not apply to the
incurrence of any of the following items of Indebtedness (collectively,
"Permitted Debt"):
 
        (i) the incurrence by the Company of term and revolving Indebtedness and
    letters of credit (with letters of credit being deemed to have a principal
    amount equal to the undrawn face amount thereof) under Credit Facilities;
    PROVIDED that the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness
 
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    after giving effect to such incurrence, including all Permitted Refinancing
    Indebtedness incurred to refund, refinance or replace any other Indebtedness
    incurred pursuant to this clause (i), does not exceed an amount equal to
    $300.0 million less (A) the aggregate amount of any Net Proceeds of Asset
    Sales that have been applied since the Original Issue Date to repay
    Indebtedness incurred under this clause (i) (or any such Permitted
    Refinancing Indebtedness) pursuant to clause (a) of the first sentence of
    the second paragraph of the covenant described above under the caption
    "--Asset Sales" and less (B) subsequent to any Subsidiary Distribution, an
    amount equal to the product of (1) the maximum amount of Indebtedness
    otherwise permitted to be outstanding under the terms of this clause (i) at
    the date of such Subsidiary Distribution and (2) a fraction, the numerator
    of which shall be (x) the Consolidated Cash Flow of the Company and all of
    its Restricted Subsidiaries (including the Distributed Subsidiary) for the
    four full fiscal quarters immediately preceding such Subsidiary Distribution
    minus (y) the Consolidated Cash Flow of the Company and its remaining
    Restricted Subsidiaries for such four-quarter reference period, calculated
    giving PRO FORMA effect to such Subsidiary Distribution, and the denominator
    of which shall be the Consolidated Cash Flow of the Company and all of its
    Restricted Subsidiaries (including the Distributed Subsidiary) for such
    four-quarter reference period;
 
        (ii) the incurrence by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries of
    Existing Indebtedness;
 
       (iii) the incurrence by the Company of Indebtedness represented by the
    Securities and by the Guarantors of Indebtedness represented by the
    Subsidiary Guarantees;
 
        (iv) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
    of (A) Acquired Debt or (B) Indebtedness (including Capital Lease
    Obligations) for the purpose of financing or refinancing all or any part of
    the lease, purchase price or cost of construction or improvement of any
    property (real or personal) or other assets that are used or useful in the
    business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary (whether through the
    direct purchase of assets or the Capital Stock of any Person owning such
    assets and whether such Indebtedness is owed to the seller or Person
    carrying out such construction or improvement or to any third party), in an
    aggregate principal amount at the date of such incurrence (including all
    Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to refund, refinance or replace
    any other Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (iv)) not to exceed
    an amount equal to 10.0% of Total Assets; PROVIDED that, in the case of
    Indebtedness exceeding $2.0 million incurred pursuant to this clause (iv),
    such Indebtedness exists at the date of such purchase or transaction or is
    created within 180 days thereafter;
 
        (v) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
    of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds
    of which are used to refund, refinance or replace, Indebtedness (other than
    intercompany Indebtedness) that was permitted by the Indentures to be
    incurred;
 
        (vi) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
    of intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its
    Restricted Subsidiaries, including, without limitation, any Indebtedness
    arising in connection with a Receivables Facility; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
    (A) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in
    any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the Company or a
    Restricted Subsidiary and (B) any sale or other transfer of any such
    Indebtedness to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted
    Subsidiary shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute an incurrence of
    such Indebtedness by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case
    may be, that was not permitted by this clause (vi);
 
       (vii) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
    of Hedging Obligations that are incurred (A) for the purpose of fixing or
    hedging interest rate risk with respect to any floating rate Indebtedness
    that is permitted by the terms of the Indentures to be outstanding or (B)
    for the purpose of fixing or hedging currency exchange rate risk incurred in
    the ordinary course of business;
 
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<PAGE>
      (viii) the guarantee by the Company or any of the Guarantors of
    Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that
    was permitted to be incurred by another provision of this covenant;
 
        (ix) the incurrence of Indebtedness secured by Receivables, PROVIDED
    that the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness incurred pursuant
    to this clause (ix) does not, at any time, exceed an amount equal to $100.0
    million less the aggregate Receivable Financing Amount of all Receivables
    Facilities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;
 
        (x) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
    of Indebtedness under (or constituting reimbursement obligations with
    respect to) letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business,
    including without limitation letters of credit in respect of workers'
    compensation claims or self-insurance, or other Indebtedness with respect to
    reimbursement type obligations regarding workers' compensation claims;
    PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that upon the drawing of such letters of credit, such
    obligations are reimbursed within 30 days following such drawing;
 
        (xi) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
    of additional Indebtedness (which may comprise Indebtedness under the Senior
    Credit Facility) in an aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as
    applicable) at any time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing
    Indebtedness incurred to refund, refinance or replace any other Indebtedness
    incurred pursuant to this clause (xi), not to exceed an amount equal to
    $30.0 million.
 
    For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, in the event that
an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of
Permitted Debt described in clauses (i) through (xi) above or is entitled to be
incurred pursuant to the first paragraph of this covenant, the Company shall, in
its sole discretion, classify such item of Indebtedness in any manner that
complies with this covenant and such item of Indebtedness will be treated as
having been incurred pursuant to only one of such clauses or pursuant to the
first paragraph hereof; PROVIDED that all outstanding Indebtedness under the
Senior Credit Facility immediately following the Recapitalization shall be
deemed to have been incurred pursuant to clause (i) of the definition of
Permitted Debt. Accrual of interest and the accretion of accreted value will not
be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness for purposes of this covenant.
 
    LIENS
 
    The Indentures provide that the Company will not, and will not permit any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or otherwise cause or
suffer to exist or become effective any Lien of any kind securing Indebtedness
or trade payables (other than Permitted Liens) upon any of their property or
assets, now owned or hereafter acquired, unless all payments due under the
Indentures and the Securities are secured on an equal and ratable basis with the
obligations so secured until such time as such obligations are no longer secured
by a Lien.
 
    DIVIDEND AND OTHER PAYMENT RESTRICTIONS AFFECTING RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES
 
    The Indentures provide that the Company will not, and will not permit any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise
cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or
restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to (i)(a) pay dividends
or make any other distributions to the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries (1) on its Capital Stock or (2) with respect to any other interest
or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or (b) pay any indebtedness
owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, (ii) make loans or
advances to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (iii) transfer
any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries, except for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by
reason of (a) Existing Indebtedness as in effect on the Original Issue Date, (b)
the provisions of security or pledge agreements (or similar agreements)
restricting transfers of the assets secured thereby, (c) the Indentures, the
Securities and the Subsidiary Guarantees, (d) any agreement or other instrument
of
 
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a Person acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as in
effect at the time of such acquisition (but not created in connection with or in
contemplation of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not
applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than
the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired, (e) by reason
of customary non-assignment provisions in leases entered into in the ordinary
course of business, (f) purchase money obligations (including Capital Lease
Obligations) for property acquired in the ordinary course of business that
impose restrictions of the nature described in clause (iii) above on the
property so acquired, (g) restrictions created in connection with any
Receivables Facility that, in the good faith determination of the Board of
Directors or senior management of the Company, are necessary or advisable to
effect such Receivables Facility, (h) in the case of clause (iii), any
encumbrance or restriction (1) that restricts in a customary manner the
subletting, assignment, or transfer of any property or asset that is subject to
a lease, license or similar contract, (2) by virtue of any transfer of,
agreement to transfer, option or right with respect to, or Lien on, any property
or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise prohibited
by the Indentures or (3) contained in security agreements or mortgages securing
Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent such encumbrance or
restrictions restrict the transfer of the property subject to such security
agreements or mortgages, (i) contracts for the sale of assets, including,
without limitation, any restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary
imposed pursuant to an agreement entered into for the sale or disposition of all
or substantially all of the Capital Stock or assets of such Restricted
Subsidiary pending the closing of such sale or disposition, (j) contractual
encumbrances or restrictions in effect on the Original Issue Date, including,
without limitation, pursuant to the Senior Credit Facility and its related
documentation, (k) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed
by leases, credit agreements or other agreements entered into in the ordinary
course of business, (l) customary provisions in joint venture agreements and
other similar agreements, (m) any encumbrances or restrictions created with
respect to Indebtedness of Restricted Subsidiaries permitted to be incurred
subsequent to the Original Issue Date pursuant to the provision of the covenant
described under the caption "--Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and
Issuance of Preferred Stock" and (n) any encumbrances or restrictions of the
type referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) imposed by any amendments,
modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings,
replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations
referred to in clauses (a) through (n), provided that such amendments,
modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings,
replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Company, no
more restrictive with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions
than those contained in the dividend or other payment restrictions prior to such
amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding,
replacement or refinancing.
 
    MERGER, CONSOLIDATION, OR SALE OF ALL OR SUBSTANTIALLY ALL ASSETS
 
    The Indentures provide that the Company may not consolidate or merge with or
into (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation), or sell, assign,
transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its
properties or assets in one or more related transactions, to another Person
unless (i) the Company is the surviving corporation or the Person formed by or
surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to
which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition
shall have been made is a corporation organized or existing under the laws of
the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; (ii) the
Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than
the Company) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease,
conveyance or other disposition shall have been made assumes all the obligations
of the Company under the Securities and the Indentures pursuant to a
supplemental indenture in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustees; (iii)
immediately after such transaction no Default or Event of Default exists; and
(iv) except in the case of a merger of the Company with or into a Wholly Owned
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, the Company or the Person formed by or
surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to
which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition
shall have been made will, at the time of such transaction and after giving
 
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pro forma effect thereto as if such transaction had occurred at the beginning of
the applicable four-quarter period, either (x) be permitted to incur at least
$1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
test set forth in the first paragraph of the covenant described above under the
caption "--Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock" or (y)
have a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio at least equal to the Fixed Charge Coverage
Ratio of the Company for such four-quarter reference period. The foregoing
provisions shall not apply to the Merger or the Subsidiary Distribution.
Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (iii) and (iv), (a) any Restricted
Subsidiary may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its
properties and assets to the Company, and (b) the Company may merge with an
Affiliate incorporated solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Company in
another jurisdiction.
 
    TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
 
    The Indentures provide that the Company will not, and will not permit any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or
otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any
property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction,
contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the
benefit of, any Affiliate (each of the foregoing, an "Affiliate Transaction"),
unless (i) such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to
the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have
been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary with an unrelated Person and (ii) the Company delivers to the
Trustees (a) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction entered into after the
Original Issue Date involving aggregate consideration in excess of $3.0 million,
a resolution of the Board of Directors set forth in an Officers' Certificate
certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (i) above and
that such Affiliate Transaction has been approved by a majority of the members
of the Board of Directors and (b) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction
involving aggregate consideration in excess of $10.0 million, an opinion as to
the fairness to the Holders of such Affiliate Transaction from a financial point
of view issued by an investment banking, appraisal or accounting firm of
national standing. In addition, the following will not be deemed to be Affiliate
Transactions: (1) the provision of administrative or management services by the
Company or any of its officers to any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the
ordinary course of business, (2) any employment agreement, collective bargaining
agreement, employee benefit plan, related trust agreement or any similar
arrangement heretofore or hereafter entered into in the ordinary course of
business, (3) transactions between or among the Company and/or its Restricted
Subsidiaries, (4) Restricted Payments that are permitted by the provisions of
the Indentures described above under the caption "--Restricted Payments" (other
than clause (viii) of the second paragraph thereof), (5) payment of compensation
to employees, officers, directors or consultants in the ordinary course of
business, (6) maintenance in the ordinary course of business (and payments
required thereby) of benefit programs, or arrangements for employees, officers
or directors, including vacation plans, health and life insurance plans,
deferred compensation plans, directors' and officers' indemnification agreements
and retirement or savings plans and similar plans, (7) loans or advances to
employees (or guarantees of third party loans to employees) in the ordinary
course of business, (8) sales of Receivables to a Receivables Subsidiary, (9)
the payment of annual management, consulting and advisory fees and related
expenses to Investcorp and its Affiliates (whether or not such Persons are
Affiliates of the Company), (10) payments by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to Investcorp and its Affiliates (whether or not such
Persons are Affiliates of the Company) made for any financial advisory,
financing, underwriting or placement services or in respect of other investment
banking activities, including, without limitation, in connection with
acquisitions or divestitures, which payments are approved by the Board of
Directors of the Company in good faith, (11) any agreement as in effect as of
the date of the Indenture or any amendment thereto (so long as any such
amendment is not disadvantageous to the Holders in any material respect) or any
transaction contemplated thereby, (12) the payment of all fees and expenses
related to the Merger and the Recapitalization, (13) transactions with
customers, clients, suppliers, or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, in
each case in the ordinary course of business and
 
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otherwise in compliance with the terms of the Indentures which are fair to the
Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, in the reasonable determination of the
Board of Directors of the Company or the senior management thereof, or are on
terms at least as favorable as might reasonably have been obtained at such time
from an unaffiliated party, (14) the existence of, or the performance by the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of its obligations under the terms
of, any stockholders agreement (including any registration rights agreement or
purchase agreement related thereto) to which it was a party as of the Original
Issue Date, any amendments thereto and any similar agreements which it may enter
into thereafter; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the existence of, or the performance by
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of obligations under any such
future amendment to any such existing agreement or under any such similar
agreement entered into after the Original Issue Date shall only be permitted by
this clause (14) to the extent that the terms of any such amendment or new
agreement are not more disadvantageous to the Holders in any material respect
than those in effect on the Original Issue Date, and (15) Indebtedness permitted
by paragraph (vi) or, to the extent such Indebtedness is on terms that are no
less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those
that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction with an unrelated
Person, paragraph (xi) of the covenant described under the caption "Incurrence
of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock."
 
    ADDITIONAL SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES
 
    The Indentures provide that all current and future Subsidiaries of the
Company substantially all of whose assets are located in the United States or
that conduct substantially all of their business in the United States, other
than Subsidiaries that have been properly been designated as Unrestricted
Subsidiaries in accordance with the Indentures for so long as they continue to
constitute Unrestricted Subsidiaries, will be Guarantors in accordance with the
terms of the Indentures. Each Subsidiary Guarantee will be limited in amount to
an amount not to exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed by that
Subsidiary without rendering the Subsidiary Guarantee, as it relates to such
Subsidiary, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or
fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.
 
    Each such Subsidiary Guarantee will be subordinated to Senior Indebtedness
of the respective Guarantor on the same basis and to the same extent as the
Securities are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness of the Company. See
"--Ranking." Each Guarantor may consolidate with or merge or sell its assets,
and may be released from its obligations under its Guarantee, upon the terms and
conditions set forth in the Indentures.
 
    NO SENIOR SUBORDINATED DEBT
 
    The Indentures provide that (i) the Company will not incur any Indebtedness
that is subordinate or junior in right of payment to any Senior Debt and senior
in any respect in right of payment to the Securities and (ii) no Guarantor will
incur any Indebtedness that is subordinate or junior in right of payment to the
Senior Debt and senior in any respect in right of payment to the Subsidiary
Guarantees.
 
    BUSINESS ACTIVITIES
 
    The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to,
engage in any business other than Permitted Businesses, except to such extent as
is not material to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
 
    REPORTS
 
    The Indentures provide that, whether or not required by the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), so
long as any Securities are outstanding, the Company will furnish to the Holders
of Securities (i) all quarterly and annual financial information that would be
 
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required to be contained in a filing with the Commission on Forms 10-Q and 10-K
if the Company were required to file such Forms, including a "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" that
describes the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and
its consolidated Subsidiaries and, with respect to the annual information only,
a report thereon by the Company's certified independent accountants and (ii) all
current reports that would be required to be filed with the Commission on Form
8-K if the Company were required to file such reports, in each case, within 15
days after the Company would be required to file such information in accordance
with the time periods specified in the Commission's rules and regulations. In
addition, commencing after the consummation of the Exchange Offer, whether or
not required by the rules and regulations of the Commission, the Company will
file a copy of all such information and reports with the Commission for public
availability (unless the Commission will not accept such a filing) within the
time periods specified in the Commission's rules and regulations. In addition,
the Company has agreed that, for so long as any Securities remain outstanding,
it will furnish to the Holders upon their request, the information required to
be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
 
    The Indentures provide that each of the following constitutes an Event of
Default with respect to the Notes or the Discount Notes, as the case may be: (i)
default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on, or Liquidated
Damages with respect to, the Securities (whether or not prohibited by the
subordination provisions of the Indentures); (ii) default in payment when due of
the principal of or premium, if any, on the Securities (whether or not
prohibited by the subordination provisions of the Indentures); (iii) failure by
the Company for 30 days after notice to comply with the provisions described
under the captions "--Repurchase at the Option of Holders--Change of Control,"
"--Repurchase at the Option of Holders--Asset Sales," "--Certain
Covenants--Restricted Payments," "--Certain Covenants-- Incurrence of
Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock" or "--Certain Covenants--Merger,
Consolidation, or Sale of Assets"; (iv) failure by the Company for 60 days after
notice to comply with any of its other agreements in the Indentures or the
Securities; (v) the failure by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is
a Significant Subsidiary to pay any Indebtedness within any applicable grace
period after final maturity or acceleration by the holders thereof because of a
default if the total amount of such Indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds
$20.0 million; (vi) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
that is a Significant Subsidiary to pay final non-appealable judgments
aggregating in excess of $20.0 million, which judgments are not paid, discharged
or stayed for a period of 60 days; (vii) except as permitted by the Indentures,
any Subsidiary Guarantee by a Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary shall
be held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or shall cease
for any reason to be in full force and effect, or any Guarantor, or any Person
acting on behalf of any Guarantor, shall deny or disaffirm its obligations under
its Subsidiary Guarantee; and (viii) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency
with respect to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a
Significant Subsidiary.
 
    If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, (a) the Note Trustee or
the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes
may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately and (b) the Discount
Note Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then
outstanding Discount Notes may declare all the Discount Notes to be due and
payable immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of
Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant
Subsidiary, all outstanding Securities will become due and payable without
further action or notice. Holders of the Securities may not enforce the
Indentures or the Securities except as provided in the Indentures. Subject to
certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then
outstanding Securities may direct the applicable Trustee in its exercise of any
trust or power. The Trustees may withhold from Holders of the Securities notice
of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a
 
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Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal or interest) if
it determines that withholding notice is in their interest.
 
    The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes or the
Discount Notes, as the case may be, then outstanding by notice to the applicable
Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes or the Discount Notes,
as the case may be, waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its
consequences under the Indentures except a continuing Default or Event of
Default in the payment of interest on, or the principal of, the Notes or the
Discount Notes, as the case may be.
 
    The Company is required to deliver to the Trustees annually a statement
regarding compliance with the Indentures, and the Company is required upon
becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, to deliver to the Trustees a
statement specifying such Default or Event of Default.
 
NO PERSONAL LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND STOCKHOLDERS
 
    No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder or Affiliate of
the Company, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the
Company under the Securities, the Indentures or for any claim based on, in
respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. No director,
officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder or Affiliate of any of the
Guarantors, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the
Guarantors under the Subsidiary Guarantees, the Indentures or for any claim
based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation.
Each Holder of Securities and Subsidiary Guarantees by accepting a Security and
a Subsidiary Guarantee waives and releases all such liabilities. The waiver and
release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Securities and the
Subsidiary Guarantees. Such waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities
under the federal securities laws and it is the view of the Commission that such
a waiver is against public policy.
 
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
 
    The Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have all of its and
any Guarantor's obligations discharged with respect to the outstanding Notes
and/or the outstanding Discount Notes and any Subsidiary Guarantees, as the case
may be ("Legal Defeasance"), and cure all then existing Events of Default,
except for (i) the rights of Holders of outstanding Securities to receive
payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest and
Liquidated Damages on such Securities when such payments are due from the trust
referred to below, (ii) the Company's obligations with respect to the Securities
concerning issuing temporary Securities, registration of Securities, mutilated,
destroyed, lost or stolen Securities and the maintenance of an office or agency
for payment and money for security payments held in trust, (iii) the rights,
powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the applicable Trustee, and the
Company's obligations in connection therewith, and (iv) the Legal Defeasance
provisions of the Indentures. In addition, the Company may, at its option and at
any time, elect to have the obligations of the Company and the Guarantors
released with respect to certain covenants that are described in the Indentures
and the Subsidiary Guarantees ("Covenant Defeasance") and thereafter any
omission to comply with such obligations shall not constitute a Default or Event
of Default with respect to the Notes or the Discount Notes, as the case may be,
and the Subsidiary Guarantees. In the event Covenant Defeasance occurs, certain
events (not including non-payment, and, solely with respect to the Company,
bankruptcy, receivership, rehabilitation and insolvency events) described under
"Events of Default" will no longer constitute an Event of Default with respect
to the Notes or the Discount Notes, as the case may be, and the Subsidiary
Guarantees.
 
    In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, (i) the
Company or the Guarantors must irrevocably deposit with the appropriate Trustee,
in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes or Discount Notes, as the
case may be, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a
combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a
nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay the
principal of, premium, if any, and interest
 
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and Liquidated Damages on the outstanding Notes or Discount Notes, as the case
may be, on the stated maturity or on the applicable redemption date, as the case
may be, and the Company and the Guarantors must specify whether the Notes or
Discount Notes, as the case may be, are being defeased to maturity or to a
particular redemption date; (ii) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Company or
the Guarantors shall have delivered to the appropriate Trustee an opinion of
counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to such Trustee confirming
that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, (A) the Company and the
Guarantors have received from, or there has been published by, the Internal
Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since the date of the applicable Indenture,
there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case
to the effect that, and based thereon, such opinion of counsel shall confirm
that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the Holders of the
outstanding Notes or Discount Notes, as the case may be, will not recognize
income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal
Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the
same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal
Defeasance had not occurred; (iii) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the
Company or the Guarantors shall have delivered to the appropriate Trustee an
opinion of counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to such Trustee
confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the Holders of
the outstanding Notes or Discount Notes, as the case may be, will not recognize
income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such
Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same
amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if
such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred; (iv) no Default or Event of Default
shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a
Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied
to such deposit and the grant of any Lien securing such borrowing) or insofar as
Events of Default from bankruptcy or insolvency events are concerned, at any
time in the period ending on the 91st day after the date of deposit; (v) such
Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation
of, or constitute a default under any material agreement or instrument (other
than the Indentures) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party
or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound; (vi) the Company or
the Guarantors must have delivered to the appropriate Trustee an opinion of
counsel, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, to the effect that
after the 91st day following the deposit, the trust funds will not be part of
any "estate" formed by the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or
subject to the "automatic stay" under the Bankruptcy Code; (vii) the Company or
the Guarantors must deliver to the appropriate Trustee an Officers' Certificate
stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of
preferring the Holders of Notes or Discount Notes, as the case may be, over the
other creditors of the Company or the Guarantors, as applicable, with the intent
of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the Company or the
Guarantors, as applicable, or others; and (viii) the Company must deliver to the
appropriate Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an opinion of counsel (which
opinion of counsel may be subject to customary assumptions and exclusions), each
stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the
Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.
 
TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE
 
    A Holder may transfer or exchange Securities in accordance with the
appropriate Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustees may require a Holder,
among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents
and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law
or permitted by the Indentures. The Company is not required to transfer or
exchange any Security selected for redemption or repurchase. Also, the Company
is not required to transfer or exchange any Security for a period of 15 days
before a selection of Securities to be redeemed or before any repurchase offer.
 
    The Securities will be issued in registered form and the registered Holder
of a Security will be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.
 
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AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
 
    Except as provided in the next two succeeding paragraphs, the Indentures or
the Securities may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of
at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes or Discount Notes, as the
case may be, then outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained
in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for,
Securities), and any existing default or compliance with any provision of the
Indentures or the Securities may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes or Discount Notes, as
the case may be (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer
or exchange offer for Securities).
 
    Without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment or waiver may not
(with respect to any Securities held by a non-consenting Holder): (i) reduce the
principal amount of Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment,
supplement or waiver, (ii) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity
of any Security or alter the provisions with respect to the redemption or
repurchase of the Securities (other than provisions relating to the covenants
described above under the caption "--Repurchase at the Option of Holders"),
(iii) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any
Security, or reduce the rate of accretion on the Accreted Value or extend the
period during which no interest accrues on the Discount Notes, (iv) waive a
Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any,
or interest on the Securities (except a rescission of acceleration of the
Securities by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount
of the Securities and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such
acceleration), (v) make any Security payable in money other than that stated in
the Securities, (vi) reduce the principal amount of such series of Securities
that need to consent to any waiver of past Defaults or the rights of Holders of
Securities to receive payments of principal of or premium, if any, or interest
on the Securities, (vii) waive a redemption payment with respect to any Security
(other than a payment required by one of the covenants described above under the
caption "--Repurchase at the Option of Holders") or (viii) make any change in
the foregoing amendment and waiver provisions.
 
    Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any Holder of
Securities, the Company and the applicable Trustee may amend or supplement the
Indentures or the Securities to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, to
provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated
Securities, to provide for the assumption of the Company's or any Guarantor's
obligations to Holders of Securities in the case of a merger, consolidation or
sale of assets, to release any Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with the
provisions of the Indentures (including in connection with a Subsidiary
Distribution), to provide for additional Guarantors, to make any change that
would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of Securities or
that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Indentures of any such
Holder, or to comply with requirements of the Commission in order to effect or
maintain the qualification of the Indentures under the Trust Indenture Act.
 
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEES
 
    The Indentures contain certain limitations on the rights of the Trustees,
should either Trustee become a creditor of the Company, to obtain payment of
claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect
of any such claim as security or otherwise. The Trustees will be permitted to
engage in other transactions; however, if either Trustee acquires any
conflicting interest such Trustee must eliminate such conflict within 90 days,
apply to the Commission for permission to continue or resign.
 
    The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes
or Discount Notes, as the case may be, will have the right to direct the time,
method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy
available to the Trustees, subject to certain exceptions. The Indentures provide
that in case an Event of Default shall occur (which shall not be cured), the
Trustees will be required, in the exercise of its power, to use the degree of
care of a prudent man in the conduct of his own affairs. Subject
 
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<PAGE>
to such provisions, the Trustees will be under no obligation to exercise any of
its rights or powers under the Indentures at the request of any Holder of
Securities, unless such Holder shall have offered to the Trustees security and
indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.
 
BOOK-ENTRY, DELIVERY AND FORM
 
    The Securities initially will be issued in registered, global form without
interest coupons (in such form, collectively, the "Global Securities"). The
Global Securities will be deposited upon issuance with the Trustees as custodian
for The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), in New York, New York, and registered
in the name of DTC or its nominee, in each case for credit to an account of a
direct or indirect participant as described below.
 
    Except as set forth below, the Global Securities may be transferred, in
whole and not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC
or its nominee. Beneficial interests in the Global Securities may not be
exchanged for Securities in certificated form except in the limited
circumstances described below. See "--Exchange of Book-Entry Securities for
Certificated Securities."
 
    The Securities may be presented for registration of transfer and exchange at
the offices of the Registrar.
 
DEPOSITORY PROCEDURES
 
    DTC has advised the Company that DTC is a limited-purpose trust company
created to hold securities for its participating organizations (collectively,
the "Participants") and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of
transactions in those securities between Participants through electronic
book-entry changes in accounts of Participants. The Participants include
securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations
and certain other organization. Access to DTC's system is also available to
other entities such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear
through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Participant, either directly
or indirectly (collectively, the "Indirect Participants"). Persons who are not
Participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only
through the Participants or Indirect Participants. The ownership interest and
transfer of ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each security held by
or on behalf of DTC are recorded on the records of the Participants and Indirect
Participants.
 
    DTC has also advised the Company that pursuant to procedures established by
it, (i) upon deposit of the Global Securities, DTC will credit the accounts of
Participants designated by the Initial Purchasers with portions of the principal
amount of Global Securities and (ii) ownership of such interests in the Global
Securities will be shown on, and the transfer ownership thereof will be effected
only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to Participants) or by
Participants and the Indirect Participants (with respect to other owners of
beneficial interests in the Global Securities). Investors in the Global
Securities may hold their interests therein directly through DTC, if they are
Participants in such system, or indirectly through organizations that are
Participants in such system.
 
    The laws of some states require that certain persons take physical delivery
in definitive form of securities that they own. Consequently, the ability to
transfer beneficial interest in a Global Security to such persons may be limited
to that extent. Because DTC can act only on behalf of Participants, which in
turn act on behalf of Indirect Participants and certain banks, the ability of a
person having a beneficial interests in a Global Security to pledge such
interests to persons or entities that do not participate in the DTC system, or
otherwise take actions in respect of such interests, may be affected by the lack
of physical certificate evidencing such interests. For certain other
restrictions on the transferability of the Securities, see "--Exchange of
Book-Entry Securities for Certificated Securities."
 
                                       88
<PAGE>
    EXCEPT AS DESCRIBED BELOW, OWNERS OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL SECURITIES WILL
NOT HAVE SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THEIR NAMES, WILL NOT RECEIVE PHYSICAL
DELIVERY OF SECURITIES IN CERTIFICATED FORM AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED THE
REGISTERED OWNERS OR HOLDERS THEREOF UNDER THE INDENTURES FOR ANY PURPOSE.
 
    Payments in respect of the principal and premium, if any, and Liquidated
Damages, if any, and interest on a Global Security registered in the name of DTC
or its nominee will be payable by the applicable Trustee to DTC or its nominee
in its capacity as the registered holder under the applicable Indenture. Under
the terms of the applicable Indenture, the Company and the applicable Trustee
will treat the persons in whose names the Securities, including the Global
Securities, are registered as the owners thereof for the purpose of receiving
such payments and for any and all other purposes whatsoever. Consequently,
neither the Company, the applicable Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the
applicable Trustee has or will have any responsibility or liability for (i) any
aspect of DTC's records or any Participant's or Indirect Participant's records
relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in
the Global Securities, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of DTC's
records or any Participant's or Indirect Participant's records relating to the
beneficial ownership interests in the Global Securities or (ii) any other matter
relating to the actions and practices of DTC or any of its Participants or
Indirect Participants.
 
    DTC has advised the Company that its current practice, upon receipt of any
payment in respect of securities such as the Securities (including principal and
interest), is to credit the accounts of the relevant Participants with the
payment on the payment date, in amounts proportionate to their respective
holdings in principal amount of beneficial interests in the relevant security
such as the Global Securities as shown on the records of DTC. Payments by
Participants and the Indirect Participants to the beneficial owners of
Securities will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices and
will not be the responsibility of DTC, either Trustee or the Company. None of
the Company or either Trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC or its
Participants in identifying the beneficial owners of the Securities, and the
Company and the Trustees may conclusively rely on and will be protected in
relying on instructions from DTC or its nominee as the registered owner of the
Securities for all purposes.
 
    Interests in the Global Securities will trade in DTC's Same-Day Funds
Settlement System and secondary market trading activity in such interests will
therefore settle in immediately available funds, subject in all cases to the
rules and procedures of DTC and its participants. Transfers between Participants
in DTC will be effected in accordance with DTC's procedures, and will be settled
in same-day funds.
 
    DTC has advised the Company that it will take any action permitted to be
taken by a holder of Securities only at the direction of one or more
Participants to whose account DTC interests in the Global Securities are
credited and only in respect of such portion of the aggregate principal amount
of the Securities as to which such Participant or Participants has or have given
direction. However, if there is an Event of Default under the Securities, DTC
reserves the right to exchange Global Securities for legended Securities in
certificated form, and to distribute such Securities to its Participants.
 
    The information in this section concerning DTC and its book-entry systems
has been obtained from sources that the Company believes to be reliable, but the
Company takes no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.
 
    Although DTC has agreed to the foregoing procedures to facilitate transfers
of interests in the Global Securities among participants in DTC, it is under no
obligation to perform or to continue to perform such procedures, and such
procedures may be discontinued at any time. None of the Company or either
Trustee will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC or its
participants or indirect participants of its obligations under the rules and
procedures governing its operations.
 
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    EXCHANGE OF BOOK-ENTRY SECURITIES FOR CERTIFICATED SECURITIES
 
    A Global Security is exchangeable for definitive Securities in registered
certificated form if (i) DTC (x) notifies the Company that it is unwilling or
unable to continue as depositary for the Global Security and the Company
thereupon fails to appoint a successor depositary or (y) has ceased to be a
clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, (ii) the Company, at its
option, notifies the applicable Trustee in writing that it elects to cause the
issuance of the Securities in certificated form or (iii) there shall have
occurred and be continuing to occur a Default or an Event of Default with
respect to the Securities. In addition, beneficial interests in a Global
Security may be exchanged for certificated Securities upon request but only upon
at least 20 days prior written notice given to the applicable Trustee by or on
behalf of DTC in accordance with customary procedures. In all cases,
certificated Securities delivered in exchange for any Global Security or
beneficial interest therein will be registered in the names, and issued in any
approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the depositary (in
accordance with its customary procedures).
 
CERTIFICATED SECURITIES
 
    Subject to the conditions specified above, any person having a beneficial
interest in the Global Security may, upon request to the applicable Trustee,
exchange such beneficial interest for Securities in the form of Certificated
Securities. Upon any such issuance, such Trustee is required to register such
Certificated Securities in the name of, and cause the same to be delivered to,
such person or persons (or the nominee of any thereof). In addition, if (i) the
Company notifies the applicable Trustee in writing that the Depositary is no
longer willing or able to act as a depositary and the Company is unable to
locate a qualified successor within 90 days or (ii) the Company, at its option,
notifies the applicable Trustee in writing that it elects to cause the issuance
of Securities in the form of Certificated Securities under the Indentures, then,
upon surrender by the Global Security Holder of its Global Security, Securities
in such form will be issued to each person that the Global Security Holder and
the Depositary identify as being the beneficial owner of the related Securities.
 
    None of the Company or the Trustees will be liable for any delay by the
Global Security Holder or the Depositary in identifying the beneficial owners of
Securities and the Company and the Trustees may conclusively rely on, and will
be protected in relying on, instructions from the Global Security Holder or the
Depositary for all purposes.
 
SAME DAY SETTLEMENT AND PAYMENT
 
    The Indentures require that payments in respect of the Securities
represented by the Global Security (including principal, premium, if any,
interest and Liquidated Damages, if any) be made by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to the accounts specified by the Global Security Holder. With
respect to Certificated Securities, the Company will make all payments of
principal, premium, if any, interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, by wire
transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Holders
thereof or, if no such account is specified, by mailing a check to each such
Holder's registered address. The Company expects that secondary trading in the
Certificated Securities will also be settled in immediately available funds.
 
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
 
    Set forth below are certain defined terms used in the Indentures. Reference
is made to the Indentures for a full disclosure of all such terms, as well as
any other capitalized terms used herein for which no definition is provided.
 
    "ACCRETED VALUE" means, as of any date of determination prior to the Full
Accretion Date, the sum of (a) the initial offering price of each Discount Note
and (b) the portion of the excess of the principal amount of each Discount Note
over such initial offering price which shall have been accreted thereon
 
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through such date, such amount to be so accreted on a daily basis at 10 1/2% per
annum of the initial offering price of the Discount Notes, compounded
semi-annually on each June 15 and December 15 from the date of issuance of the
Discount Notes through the date of determination; PROVIDED that, on and after
the Full Accretion Date, the Accreted Value shall be equal to the principal
amount of the outstanding Discount Notes.
 
    "ACQUIRED DEBT" means, with respect to any specified Person, (i)
Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is
merged with or into or became a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person,
including, without limitation, Indebtedness incurred in connection with, or in
contemplation of, such other Person's merging with or into or becoming a
Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person, and (ii) Indebtedness secured by
a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.
 
    "AFFILIATE" of any specified Person means (i) any other Person, directly or
indirectly, controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person or (ii) any Person who is a director or
officer (a) of such Person, (b) of any Subsidiary of such Person or (c) of any
Person described in clause (i) above. For purposes of this definition, "control"
(including, with correlative meanings, the terms "controlling," "controlled by"
and "under common control with"), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean
the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise.
 
    "ASSET SALE" means (i) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of
any assets or rights (including, without limitation, by way of a sale and
leaseback) (PROVIDED that the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of
all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be governed by the provisions of the
Indentures described above under the caption "--Certain Covenants--Merger,
Consolidation or Sale of Assets" and not by the provisions of the Asset Sale
covenant), and (ii) the issue or sale by the Company or any of the Restricted
Subsidiaries of Equity Interests of any of the Company's Subsidiaries (other
than director's qualifying shares), in the case of either clause (i) or (ii),
whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions (a) that
have a fair market value in excess of $1.0 million or (b) for net proceeds in
excess of $1.0 million. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following will not be
Asset Sales: (i) a transfer of assets by the Company to a Restricted Subsidiary
or by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or to another Restricted
Subsidiary, (ii) an issuance of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary to
the Company or to another Restricted Subsidiary, (iii) a sale of Receivables to
or by a Receivables Subsidiary, (iv) a Restricted Payment or Permitted
Investment that is permitted by the covenant described above under the caption
"--Certain Covenants-- Restricted Payments" (including, without limitation, any
formation of or contribution of assets to a joint venture), (v) leases or
subleases, in the ordinary course of business, to third parties of real property
owned in fee or leased by the Company or its Subsidiaries, (vi) a disposition,
in the ordinary course of business, of a lease of real property, (vii) any
disposition of property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that, in the
reasonable judgment of the Company, has become uneconomic, obsolete or worn out,
(viii) any disposition of property or assets (including, without limitation,
accounts receivables and inventory) in the ordinary course of business, (ix) the
sale of Cash Equivalents and Investment Grade Securities and (x) any exchange of
like property pursuant to Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.
 
    "BOARD OF DIRECTORS" means, with respect to any Person, the Board of
Directors of such Person, or any authorized committee of the Board of Directors
of such Person.
 
    "CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATION" means, at the time any determination thereof is
to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would
at such time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with
GAAP.
 
    "CAPITAL STOCK" means (i) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock,
(ii) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares,
interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of
corporate stock, (iii) in the case of a partnership or limited liability
company,
 
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partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited) and (iv) any
similar participation in profits and losses or equity of a Person.
 
    "CASH EQUIVALENTS" means (i) United States dollars, (ii) securities issued
or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or
any agency or instrumentality thereof having maturities of not more than one
year from the date of acquisition, (iii) certificates of deposit and eurodollar
time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition,
bankers' acceptances with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank
deposits, in each case with any commercial bank or trust company having capital
and surplus in excess of $300 million, (iv) repurchase obligations with a term
of not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in
clauses (ii) and (iii) above entered into with any financial institution meeting
the qualifications specified in clause (iii) above, (v) commercial paper having
the highest rating obtainable from Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's")
or Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies,
Inc. ("S&P") and in each case maturing within one year after the date of
acquisition, (vi) investment funds investing 95% of their assets in securities
of the types described in clauses (i)-(v) above, (vii) readily marketable direct
obligations issued by any state of the United States of America or any political
subdivision thereof having one of the two highest rating categories obtainable
from either Moody's or S&P and (viii) Indebtedness with a rating of "A" or
higher from S&P or "A2" or higher from Moody's.
 
    "CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW" means, with respect to any Person for any period,
the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period (A) plus, to the
extent deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income, (i) Fixed Charges and
the amortization of debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses of such
Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, (ii) provision for taxes
based on income or profits (including franchise taxes) of such Person and its
Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, (iii) depreciation and amortization
expense, including, but not limited to, amortization of inventory write-up under
APB 16, amortization of intangibles (including, but not limited to, goodwill and
the costs of Interest Rate Agreements or Currency Agreements, license agreements
and non-competition agreements) and organization costs, (iv) non-cash expenses
related to the amortization of management fees paid on or prior to the Original
Issue Date, (v) expenses and charges related to any equity offering or
incurrence of Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by the Indentures (including
any such expenses or charges relating to the Recapitalization), (vi) the amount
of any restructuring charge or reserve, (vii) non-cash amortization of Capital
Lease Obligations, (viii) unrealized gains and losses from hedging and foreign
currency translations and transactions, (ix) expenses consisting of internal
software development costs that are expensed during the period but could have
been capitalized in accordance with GAAP, (x) any write-downs, write-offs, and
other non-cash charges and expenses, and (xi) the amount of any minority
interest expense and (B) minus (i) non-cash items increasing such Consolidated
Net Income for such period and (ii) any cash payment or expense for which a
reserve or charge of the kind described in the clause (vi) and (x) above was
taken in a prior period.
 
    "CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME" means, with respect to any Person for any period,
the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries
for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP;
PROVIDED that (i) the Net Income of any Person that is not a Restricted
Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting shall be
included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions paid in
cash to the referent Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person, (ii) the
Net Income of any Restricted Subsidiary shall be excluded to the extent that the
declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted
Subsidiary of that Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted
without any prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) or,
directly or indirectly, prohibited by operation of the terms of its charter or
any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or
governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its
stockholders unless such restriction with respect to the payment of dividends
has been permanently waived, (iii) the Net Income of any Person acquired in a
pooling of interests transaction for any period prior to the date of such
acquisition shall be excluded, (iv) the
 
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cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles shall be excluded
(effected either through cumulative effect adjustment or a retroactive
application, in each case, in accordance with GAAP) and (v) to the extent
deducted in determining Net Income, the expenses incurred in connection with the
Recapitalization, including, without limitation, management bonuses and payments
under the management incentive and equity participation plans, in each case, to
the extent that such payment or expense was disclosed in the Offering Memorandum
used in connection with the Original Offering, shall be excluded.
 
    "CREDIT FACILITIES" means, with respect to the Company, one or more debt
facilities (including, without limitation, the Senior Credit Facility) or
commercial paper facilities with banks or other institutional lenders providing
for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through
the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to
borrow from such lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit or other
credit facilities, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed,
refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time.
 
    "CURRENCY AGREEMENT" means any foreign exchange contract, currency swap
agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement to which the Company or any
Subsidiary is a party or of which it is a beneficiary.
 
    "DEFAULT" means any event that is or with the passage of time or the giving
of notice or both would be an Event of Default.
 
    "DESIGNATED SENIOR DEBT" means (i) any Indebtedness outstanding under the
Senior Credit Facility and (ii) any other Senior Debt permitted under the
Indentures the principal amount of which is $10.0 million or more and that has
been designated by the Company as "Designated Senior Debt."
 
    "DISQUALIFIED STOCK" means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the
terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is
exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event (other than as a result of a
Change of Control), matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking
fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder thereof,
in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the date on
which the Securities mature; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if such Capital Stock is
issued to any plan for the benefit of employees of the Company or its
Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Capital Stock shall not
constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be
repurchased by the Company in order to satisfy applicable statutory or
regulatory obligations.
 
    "EQUITY INTERESTS" means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other
rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is
convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).
 
    "EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS" means Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness under the Senior Credit Facility) in
existence on the Original Issue Date, until such amounts are repaid.
 
    "FIXED CHARGES" means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum,
without duplication, of (i) the consolidated interest expenses of such Person
and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued
(including, without limitation, amortization of original issue discount,
non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment
obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital
Lease Obligations, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in
respect of letter of credit or bankers' acceptance financings or any Receivables
Facility, and net payments (if any) pursuant to Hedging Obligations) excluding,
however, (A) amortization of debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses
and (B) customary commitment, administrative and transaction fees and charges
and (ii) the consolidated interest of such Person and its Restricted
Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period, and (iii) any interest
expense on Indebtedness of another Person that is Guaranteed by such Person or
one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person
or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries (whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is
called upon), (iv) all dividend payments, whether or not in cash, on any series
of preferred stock any of Restricted Subsidiary of
 
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<PAGE>
such Person and (v) all dividend payments, whether or not in cash, on any series
of preferred stock of such person other than dividend payments or accruals
payable solely in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of such
Person, in each case, on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.
 
    "FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO" means with respect to any Person for any
period, the ratio of the Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person and its
Restricted Subsidiaries for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person and
its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period. In the event that the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, Guarantees or redeems any
Indebtedness (other than revolving credit borrowings) or issues preferred stock
subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage
Ratio is being calculated but prior to the date on which the event for which the
calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the "Calculation Date"),
then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect
to such incurrence, assumption, Guarantee or redemption of Indebtedness, or such
issuance or redemption of preferred stock, as if the same had occurred at the
beginning of the applicable four-quarter reference period. For purposes of
making the computation referred to above, Investments, acquisitions,
dispositions, mergers and consolidations that have been made by the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries during the four-quarter reference period or
subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the Calculation Date, and
discontinued operations determined in accordance with GAAP on or prior to the
Calculation Date, shall be given effect on a PRO FORMA basis assuming that all
such Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers and consolidations or
discontinued operations (and the reduction or increase of any associated fixed
charge obligations and the change in Consolidated Cash Flow resulting therefrom)
had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period. If since the
beginning of such period any Person (that subsequently became a Restricted
Subsidiary or was merged with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
since the beginning of such period) shall have made any Investment, acquisition,
disposition, merger or consolidation or determined a discontinued operation,
that would have required adjustment pursuant to this definition, then the Fixed
Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving PRO FORMA effect thereto for
such period as if such Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger or
consolidation or discontinued operations had occurred at the beginning of the
applicable four-quarter period. For purposes of this definition, whenever PRO
FORMA effect is to be given to a transaction, the PRO FORMA calculations shall
be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the
Company. If any Indebtedness to which PRO FORMA effect is given bears interest
at a floating rate, the interest expense on such Indebtedness shall be
calculated as if the rate in effect on the Calculation Date had been the
applicable interest rate for the entire period (taking into account any Interest
Rate Agreement in effect on the Calculation Date). Interest on a Capital Lease
Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined
by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Company to be the rate
of interest implicit in such Capital Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP.
For purposes of making the computation referred to above, interest on any
Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility computed on a PRO FORMA basis
shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness
during the applicable period. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be
determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a
eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been
based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional
rate chosen as the Company may designate.
 
    "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States
of America as in effect from time to time, including those set forth in the
opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of
the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such
other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting
profession. All ratios and computations based on GAAP contained in the
Indentures shall be computed in conformity with GAAP as in effect as of the
Original Issue Date.
 
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<PAGE>
    "GUARANTEE" means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable
instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or
indirect, in any manner (including, without limitation, letters of credit and
reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), of all or any part of any
Indebtedness.
 
    "GUARANTORS" means each of (i) Hart & Cooley, Inc., Mansfield Plumbing
Products, Inc., DeVilbiss Air Power Company, SWC Industries, Inc. and Ex-Cell
Manufacturing Company, Inc. and (ii) any other Subsidiary that executes a
Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of the Indentures, and
their respective successors and assigns, in each case, until released from its
Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with the terms of the Indentures.
 
    "HEDGING OBLIGATIONS" means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of
such Person under (i) interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap
agreements and interest rate collar agreements and (ii) other agreements or
arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in interest
rates.
 
    "INDEBTEDNESS" means, with respect to any Person (without duplication), (i)
any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent, in respect of
borrowed money or evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments
or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof) or
banker's acceptances or representing Capital Lease Obligations or the balance
deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property, which purchase price
is due more than six months after the date of placing such property in service
or taking delivery thereof, or representing any Hedging Obligations, except any
such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable, if and to the
extent any of the foregoing indebtedness (other than letters of credit and
Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of such
Person prepared in accordance with GAAP, (ii) all indebtedness under clause (i)
of others secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person (whether or not such
indebtedness is assumed by such Person) and (iii) to the extent not otherwise
included, the Guarantee by such Person of any indebtedness under clause (i) of
any other Person; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that Indebtedness shall not include (a) any
servicing or guarantee of servicing obligations with respect to Receivables, (b)
obligations of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries arising from
agreements of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary providing for
indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, in each
case, incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition of any business,
assets or a Subsidiary, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any
Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or a Subsidiary for
the purpose of financing such acquisition; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (x) such
obligations are not reflected on the balance sheet of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary (contingent obligations referred to in a footnote to
financial statements and not otherwise reflected on the balance sheet will not
be deemed to be reflected on such balance sheet for purposes of this clause (x))
and (y) the maximum assumable liability in respect of all such obligations shall
at no time exceed the gross proceeds including noncash proceeds (the fair market
value of such noncash proceeds being measured at the time received and without
giving effect to any subsequent changes in value) actually received by the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such disposition; or
(c) obligations in respect of performance and surety bonds and completion
guarantees provided by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary
course of business. The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date
shall be (i) the accreted value thereof, in the case of any Indebtedness that
does not require current payments of interest, and (ii) the principal amount
thereof in the case of any other Indebtedness.
 
    "INTEREST RATE AGREEMENT" means any interest rate swap agreement, interest
rate cap agreement, repurchase agreement, futures contract or other financial
agreement or arrangement designed to protect the Company or any Subsidiary
against fluctuations in interest rates.
 
    "INVESTMENT GRADE SECURITIES" means (i) securities issued or directly and
fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or
instrumentality thereof (other than Cash Equivalents), (ii) debt securities or
debt instruments with a rating of BBB- or higher by S&P or Baa3 or higher by
Moody's or the equivalent of such rating by such rating organization, or, if no
rating of S&P or Moody's
 
                                       95
<PAGE>
then exists, the equivalent of such rating by any other nationally recognized
securities rating agency, but excluding any debt securities or instruments
constituting loans or advances among the Company and its Subsidiaries, and (iii)
investments in any fund that invests exclusively in investments of the type
described in clauses (i) and (ii) which fund may also hold immaterial amounts of
cash pending investment and/or distribution.
 
    "INVESTMENTS" means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such
Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of direct or
indirect loans (including guarantees of Indebtedness or other obligations, but
excluding advances to customers in the ordinary course of business that are
recorded as accounts receivable on the balance sheet of such Person), advances
or capital contributions (excluding commission, travel, payroll, entertainment,
relocation and similar advances to officers and employees made in the ordinary
course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of
Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together with all items that
are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in
accordance with GAAP. If the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company sells or
otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Subsidiary
of the Company such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition,
such Person is no longer a Subsidiary of the Company, the Company shall be
deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition
equal to the fair market value of the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary not
sold or disposed of in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph
of the covenant described above under the caption "--Restricted Payments."
 
    "LIEN" means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge,
security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether
or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law (including
any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or any lease in the
nature thereof); PROVIDED that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to
constitute a Lien.
 
    "MANAGEMENT GROUP" means the senior management of the Company or its
Restricted Subsidiaries.
 
    "NET INCOME" means, with respect to any Person, the net income (or loss) of
such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in
respect of preferred stock dividends, excluding, however, (i) any extraordinary
or non-recurring gains or losses or charges and gains or losses or charges from
the sale of assets outside the ordinary course of business, together with any
related provision for taxes on such gain or loss or charges and (ii) deferred
financing costs written off in connection with the early extinguishment of
Indebtedness.
 
    "NET PROCEEDS" means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including,
without limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any
non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of the direct costs
relating to such Asset Sale (including, without limitation, legal, accounting
and investment banking fees, and brokerage and sales commissions) and any
relocation expenses incurred as a result thereof, taxes paid or payable as a
result thereof (after taking into account any available tax credits or
deductions and any tax sharing arrangements), amounts required to be applied to
the repayment of principal, premium (if any) and interest on Indebtedness that
is not subordinated to the Securities required (other than required by clause
(a) of the second paragraph of "--Repurchase at the Option of Holders--Asset
Sales") to be paid as a result of such transaction, all distributions and other
payments required to be made to minority interest holders in Subsidiaries or
joint ventures as a result of such Asset Sale, and any deduction of appropriate
amounts to be provided by the Company as a reserve in accordance with GAAP
against any liabilities associated with the asset disposed of in such
transaction and retained by the Company after such sale or other disposition
thereof, including, without limitation, pension and other post-employment
benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against
any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction.
 
    "NON-RECOURSE DEBT" means Indebtedness (i) as to which neither the Company
nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any kind
(including any undertaking, agreement or
 
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instrument that would constitute Indebtedness), or (b) is directly or indirectly
liable (as a guarantor or otherwise); and (ii) no default with respect to which
(including any rights that the holders thereof may have to take enforcement
action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit (upon notice, lapse of
time or both) any holder of any other Indebtedness (other than the Securities
being offered hereby) of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to
declare a default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be
accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity; and (iii) as to which the
lenders have been notified in writing that they will not have any recourse to
the stock or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company and any of its other
Subsidiaries that sell Receivables to the Person incurring such Indebtedness
shall be allowed to provide such representations, warranties, covenants and
indemnities as are customarily required in such transactions so long as no such
representations, warranties, covenants or indemnities constitute a Guarantee of
payment or recourse against credit losses.
 
    "OBLIGATIONS" means any principal, interest, penalties, fees,
indemnifications, reimbursements, damages, guarantees and other liabilities
payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness, in each case whether
now or hereafter existing, renewed or restructured, whether or not from time to
time decreased or extinguished and later increased, created or incurred, whether
or not arising on or after the commencement of a proceeding under Title 11, U.S.
Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors (including
post-petition interest) and whether or not allowed or allowable as a claim in
any such proceeding.
 
    "PARI PASSU INDEBTEDNESS" means any Indebtedness of the Company that ranks
PARI PASSU with the Securities.
 
    "PERMITTED BUSINESS" means the building products, home improvement products
and decorative accessory products businesses and any other business reasonably
related or incidental thereto.
 
    "PERMITTED INVESTMENTS" means (a) any Investment in the Company or in a
Restricted Subsidiary (including in any Equity Interests of a Restricted
Subsidiary); (b) any Investment in Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade
Securities; (c) any Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company in a Person, if as a result of such Investment (i) such Person
becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) such Person, in one transaction or a
series of substantially concurrent related transactions, is merged, consolidated
or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its
assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; (d)
any securities received or other Investments made as a result of the receipt of
non-cash consideration from an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in
compliance with the covenant described above under the caption "--Repurchase at
the Option of Holders--Asset Sales" or in connection with any other disposition
of assets not constituting an Asset Sale; (e) any acquisition of assets solely
in exchange for the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock)
of the Company; (f) any Investments relating to a Receivables Subsidiary; (g)
loans or advances to employees (or guarantees of third party loans to employees)
in the ordinary course of business; (h) stock, obligations or securities
received in satisfaction of judgments or settlement of debts; (i) receivables
owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, if created or acquired in the
ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with
customary trade terms (including such concessionary terms as the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary deems reasonable); (j) any Investment existing on the
Original Issue Date; (k) Hedging Obligations and Currency Agreements otherwise
permitted under the Indentures; (l) any transaction to the extent it constitutes
an Investment that is permitted and made in accordance with the provisions of
clause (12) of the covenant described under the caption "--Transactions with
Affiliates"; (m) any Investment in a Permitted Business (other than an
Unrestricted Subsidiary) having an aggregate fair market value, taken together
with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (m) that are at that
time outstanding, not to exceed 15.0% of Total Assets at the time of such
Investment (with the fair market value of each Investment being measured at the
time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value); and (n)
additional Investments having an aggregate fair market value, taken together
with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (n) that are at that
time outstanding, not to exceed
 
                                       97
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10.0% of Total Assets at the time of such Investment (with the fair market value
of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to
subsequent changes in value).
 
    "PERMITTED JUNIOR SECURITIES" shall mean debt or equity securities of the
Company or any successor corporation issued pursuant to a plan of reorganization
or readjustment of the Company that are subordinated to the payment of all then
outstanding Senior Debt at least to the same extent that the Securities are
subordinated to the payment of all Senior Debt on the Original Issue Date, so
long as (i) the effect of the use of this defined term in the subordination
provisions described under the caption "Subordination" is not to cause the
Securities to be treated as part of (a) the same class of claims as the Senior
Debt or (b) any class of claims pari passu with, or senior to, the Senior Debt
for any payment or distribution in any case or proceeding or similar event
relating to the liquidation, insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, winding up or
reorganization of the Company and (ii) to the extent that any Senior Debt
outstanding on the date of consummation of any such plan of reorganization for
readjustment are not paid in full in cash on such date, either (a) the holders
of any such Senior Debt not so paid in full in cash have consented to the terms
of such plan of reorganization or readjustment or (b) such holders receive
securities which constitute Senior Debt and which have been determined by the
relevant court to constitute satisfaction in full in money or money's worth of
any Senior Debt not paid in full in cash.
 
    "PERMITTED LIENS" means (i) Liens securing Senior Debt of the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary that was permitted by the terms of the Indentures to be
incurred; (ii) Liens in favor of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; (iii)
Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged into or
consolidated with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;
PROVIDED that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such
merger or consolidation and do not extend to any assets other than those of the
Person merged into or consolidated with the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary,
as the case may be; (iv) Liens on property existing at the time of acquisition
thereof by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, PROVIDED
that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such
acquisition; (v) Liens to secure the performance of bids, tenders, trade or
government contracts (other than for borrowed money), leases, licenses,
statutory obligations, surety or appeal bonds, performance bonds or other
obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business; (vi)
without limitation of clause (i), Liens to secure Indebtedness (including
Capital Lease Obligations) permitted by clause (v) of the second paragraph of
the covenant entitled "Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred
Stock" covering only the assets acquired with such Indebtedness; (vii) Liens
existing on the Original Issue Date; (viii) Liens for taxes, assessments or
governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent or that are being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, provided that any reserve or
other appropriate provision as shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall
have been made therefor; (ix) Liens on Receivables to reflect sales of
Receivables to and by the Receivables Subsidiary pursuant to the Receivables
Facility or securing Indebtedness permitted by paragraph (ix) of the covenant
described under the caption "Certain Covenants--Incurrence of Indebtedness and
Issuance of Preferred Stock;" (x) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of
business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company with respect
to obligations that do not exceed $5.0 million at any one time outstanding and
that (a) are not incurred in connection with the borrowing of money or the
obtaining of advances or credit (other than trade credit in the ordinary course
of business) and (b) do not in the aggregate materially detract from the value
of the property or materially impair the use thereof in the operation of
business by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary; (xi) carriers',
warehousemen's, mechanics', landlords', materialmen's, repairmen's or other like
Liens arising in the ordinary course of business in respect of obligations that
are not yet due or that are bonded or that are being contested in good faith and
by appropriate proceedings if adequate reserves with respect thereto are
maintained on the books of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the
case may be, in accordance with GAAP; (xii) pledges or deposits in connection
with workmen's compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security
legislation; (xiii) easements (including reciprocal easement agreements),
rights-of-way, building, zoning and similar restrictions, utility agreements,
covenants, reservations, restrictions, encroachments, changes, and other similar
encumbrances or title defects incurred, or leases or subleases granted to
 
                                       98
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others, in the ordinary course of business, that do not in the aggregate
materially detract from the aggregate value of the properties of the Company and
its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or in the aggregate materially interfere
with or adversely affect in any material respect the ordinary conduct of the
business of the Company and its Subsidiaries on the properties subject thereto,
taken as a whole; (xiv) Liens on goods (and the proceeds thereof) and documents
of title and the property covered thereby securing Indebtedness in respect of
commercial letters of credit; (xv) (i) mortgages, liens, security interests,
restrictions, encumbrances or any other matters of record that have been placed
by any developer, landlord or other third party on property over which the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company has easement rights or on
any real property leased by the Company on the Original Issue Date and
subordination or similar agreements relating thereto and (ii) any condemnation
or eminent domain proceedings affecting any real property; (xvi) leases or
subleases to third parties; (xvii) Liens in connection with workmen's
compensation obligations and general liability exposure of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries; (xviii) Liens arising by reason of a judgment, decree
or court order, to the extent not otherwise resulting in an Event of Default;
(xix) Liens securing Hedging Obligations and Currency Agreements entered into in
the ordinary course of business; (xx) without limitation of clause (i), Liens
securing Refinancing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under the Indentures
or amendments or renewals of Liens that were permitted to be incurred, provided,
in each case, that such Liens do not extend to an additional property or asset;
and (xxi) Liens that secure Indebtedness of a Person existing at the time such
Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, PROVIDED such Liens do
not extend to any property or asset of any other Restricted Subsidiary or the
Company.
 
    "PERMITTED REFINANCING INDEBTEDNESS" means any Indebtedness of the Company
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net
proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or
refund other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
PROVIDED that: (i) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of
such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of
(or accreted value, if applicable), plus accrued interest on, the Indebtedness
so extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded (plus the
amount of reasonable premium and fees and expenses incurred in connection
therewith); (ii) in the case of term Indebtedness, such Permitted Refinancing
Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of,
and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the
Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being extended,
refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; (iii) if the Indebtedness
being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded is
subordinated in right of payment to the Securities, such Permitted Refinancing
Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of,
and is subordinated in right of payment to, the Securities on terms at least as
favorable to the Holders of Securities as those contained in the documentation
governing the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced,
defeased or refunded; and (iv) such Indebtedness is incurred either by the
Company or by the Restricted Subsidiary who is the obligor on the Indebtedness
being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded.
 
    "RECEIVABLES" means, collectively, (a) the Indebtedness and other
obligations owed to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (before giving effect
to any sale or transfer thereof pursuant to a Receivables Facility), whether
constituting an account, chattel paper, an instrument, a document or general
intangible, arising in connection with the sale of goods, insurance and/or
services by the Company or such Subsidiary, including, without limitation, the
obligation to pay any late fees, interest or other finance charges with respect
thereto (each of the foregoing, collectively, an "ACCOUNT RECEIVABLE"), (b) all
of the Company's or such Subsidiary's interest in the goods (including returned
goods), if any, the sale of which gave rise to any Account Receivable, and all
insurance contracts with respect thereto, (c) all other security interests or
Liens and property subject thereto from time to time, if any, purporting to
secure payment of any Account Receivable, together with all financing statements
and security agreements describing any collateral securing such Account
Receivable, (d) all Guarantees, insurance and other agreements or arrangements
of whatever character from time to time supporting or securing payment of any
Account Receivable, (e) all contracts, invoices, books and records of any kind
related to any Account Receivable, (f) all cash
 
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collections in respect of, and cash proceeds of, any of the foregoing and any
and all lockboxes, lockbox accounts, collection accounts, concentration accounts
and similar accounts in or into which such collections and cash proceeds are now
or hereafter deposited, collected or concentrated, and (g) all proceeds of any
of the foregoing.
 
    "RECEIVABLES FACILITY" means, with respect to any Person, any Receivables
securitization or factoring program pursuant to which such Person receives
proceeds pursuant to a sale, pledge or other encumbrance of its Receivables.
 
    "RECEIVABLES FINANCING AMOUNT" means at any date, with respect to any
Receivables Facility of any Person that does not represent an incurrence of
Indebtedness, the sum on such date of (a) the aggregate uncollected balances of
Accounts Receivable (as defined in the definition of "Receivable") transferred
("Transferred Receivables") in such Receivables Facility plus (b) the aggregate
amount of all collections of Transferred Receivables theretofore received by
such Person but not yet remitted to the purchaser, net of all reserves and
holdbacks retained by or for the benefit of the purchaser and net of any
interest retained by such Person and reasonable costs and expenses (including,
without limitation, fees and commissions and taxes other than income taxes)
incurred by such Person in connection therewith and not payable to any Affiliate
of such Person.
 
    "RECEIVABLES SUBSIDIARY" means any Subsidiary created primarily to purchase
or finance the receivables of the Company and/or its Subsidiaries pursuant to a
Receivables Facility, so long as it: (a) has no Indebtedness other than
Non-Recourse Debt and (b) is a Person with respect to which neither the Company
nor any of its other Subsidiaries has any direct obligation to maintain or
preserve such Person's financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve
any specified levels of operating results other than to act as servicer of
Receivables. If, at any time, such Receivables Subsidiary would fail to meet the
foregoing requirements as a Receivables Subsidiary, it shall thereafter cease to
be a Receivables Subsidiary for purposes of the Indentures and any Indebtedness
of such Receivables Subsidiary shall be deemed to be incurred by a Subsidiary of
the Company as of such date (and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be
incurred as of such date under the covenant described under the caption
"--Certain Covenants-- Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred
Stock," the Company shall be in default of such covenant).
 
    "RESTRICTED INVESTMENT" means an Investment other than a Permitted
Investment.
 
    "RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARY" of a Person means any Subsidiary of the referent
Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
 
    "SENIOR CREDIT FACILITY" means the Credit Agreement dated as of June 17,
1997 among the Company and the financial institutions named therein, The Chase
Manhattan Bank, as administrative agent, and Chase Securities Inc., as arranger,
and any related notes, collateral documents, letters of credit and guarantees,
including any appendices, exhibits or schedules to any of the foregoing (as the
same may be in effect from time to time), in each case, as such agreements may
be amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time, or refunded,
refinanced, restructured, replaced, renewed, repaid or extended from time to
time (whether with the original agents and lenders or other agents or lenders or
otherwise, and whether provided under the original credit agreement or other
credit agreements or otherwise).
 
    "SENIOR DEBT" means (i) all Indebtedness of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding under Senior Credit Facility and all Hedging
Obligations with respect thereto, (ii) any other Indebtedness (including
Acquired Debt) permitted to be incurred by the Company or one of its Restricted
Subsidiaries under the terms of the Indentures, unless the instrument under
which such Indebtedness is incurred expressly provides that it is on a parity
with or subordinated in right of payment to the Securities or any Subsidiary
Guarantee and (iii) all Obligations with respect to the foregoing.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, Senior Debt will not
include (w) any liability for federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing
by the Company, (x) any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its
 
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Restricted Subsidiaries to any of its Subsidiaries or other Affiliates, (y) any
trade payables or (z) any Indebtedness that is incurred in violation of the
Indentures.
 
    "SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARY" means any Subsidiary that would be a "significant
subsidiary" as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated
pursuant to the Securities Act, as such regulation is in effect on the Original
Issue Date.
 
    "SPECIFIED AFFILIATE PAYMENTS" means: (i) the repurchase, redemption or
other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Company
or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company held by any future, present or
former employee, director, officer or consultant of the Company (or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries) pursuant to any management equity subscription
agreement, stock option agreement, put agreement or similar agreement that may
be in effect from time to time; PROVIDED that the aggregate price paid for all
such repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired Equity Interests shall not
exceed $2.5 million in any calendar year (with unused amounts in any calendar
year being carried over to succeeding calendar years subject to a maximum amount
of repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions pursuant to this clause (i)
(without giving effect to the immediately following proviso) of $7.5 million in
any calendar year) and no payment default on Senior Debt or the Securities shall
have occurred and be continuing; PROVIDED FURTHER that such amount in any
calendar year may be increased by an amount not to exceed (A) the cash proceeds
received by the Company since the Original Issue Date from the sale of Equity
Interests of the Company to employees, directors, officers or consultants of the
Company and its Subsidiaries that occurs in such calendar year (provided that
such cash proceeds shall be excluded from clause (c)(ii) of the first paragraph
under the covenant described under the caption "Restricted Payments") plus (B)
the cash proceeds from key man life insurance policies received by the Company
and its Restricted Subsidiaries in such calendar year; and PROVIDED FURTHER that
cancellation of Indebtedness owing to the Company from employees, directors,
officers or consultants of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection
with a repurchase of Equity Interests of the Company will not be deemed to
constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of the Indentures; (ii) repurchases
of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options or warrants
as a result of the payment of all or a portion of the exercise price of such
options or warrants with Equity Interests; (iii) payments by the Company to
members of management of the Company under the management incentive and equity
participation plans as a result of and upon the Recapitalization to the extent
disclosed in this Offering Memorandum used in connection with the Original
Offering; and (iv) payments permitted under clauses (5), (6), (8), (9) and (11)
of the second paragraph of the covenant described under "--Transaction with
Affiliates."
 
    "STATED MATURITY" means, with respect to any installment of interest or
principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which such payment of
interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the original documentation
governing such Indebtedness, and shall not include any contingent obligations to
repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date
originally scheduled for the payment thereof.
 
    "SUBSIDIARY" means, with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation,
association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting
power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of
any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees
thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such
Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination
thereof) and (ii) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing
general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b)
the only general partners of which are such Person or one or more Subsidiaries
of such Person (or any combination thereof).
 
    "SUBSIDIARY DISTRIBUTION" means the dividend or distribution by the Company
of all the Equity Interests in any one Subsidiary and its direct or indirect
Subsidiaries (collectively, a "Distributed Subsidiary") owned by the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; PROVIDED that (A) prior to such dividend or
distribution, the Company shall make an offer (a "Subsidiary Distribution
Offer") to all Holders of
 
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Securities to purchase the principal amount (or, with respect to the Discount
Notes prior to the Full Accretion Date, the Accreted Value) of Securities equal
to the product of (1) the outstanding principal amount (or, with respect to the
Discount Notes prior to the Full Accretion Date, the Accretion Value) of
Securities immediately prior to such dividend or distribution, MULTIPLIED BY (2)
such portion of the Consolidated Cash Flow of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries (including the Distributed Subsidiary) for the most recently ended
four full fiscal quarters of the Company (expressed as a decimal) as is
attributable to the Distributed Subsidiary (calculated as set forth in the
definition of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio), at an offer price in cash in an
amount equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid
interest and Liquidated Damages thereon, if any (or, with respect to the
Discount Notes prior to the Full Accretion Date, 101% of the Accreted Value
thereof plus Liquidated Damages thereon, if any), to the date of purchase, in
accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indentures, (B) each of S&P and
Moody's confirms, in writing, prior to such dividend or distribution, but
following the announcement of the results of the Subsidiary Distribution Offer,
that it will not downgrade its rating of the Securities, (C) immediately
following the transaction, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company for
the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters of the Company, calculated
giving PRO FORMA effect to (1) such dividend or distribution, (2) the repurchase
of all Securities irrevocably tendered for purchase pursuant to the Subsidiary
Distribution Offer and (3) any reduction of Indebtedness of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries that occurs concurrently with such dividend or
distribution, is greater than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for such
four-quarter reference period immediately prior to such dividend or distribution
and Subsidiary Distribution Offer, (D) no Default or Event of Default exists
immediately following the dividend or distribution or Subsidiary Distribution
Offer, (E) the Consolidated Cash Flow of the Company and its remaining
Restricted Subsidiaries for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters of
the Company, calculated giving PRO FORMA effect to such dividend or
distribution, is not less than 60% of the Consolidated Cash Flow of the Company
and all of its Restricted Subsidiaries (including the Distributed Subsidiary)
for such four-quarter reference period (calculated as set forth in the
definition of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, but without giving PRO FORMA effect
to such dividend or distribution) and (F) no other dividend or distribution of
Equity Interests in any Subsidiary has been made pursuant to clause (vi) of the
covenant described under the caption "--Restricted Payments" subsequent to the
Original Issue Date.
 
    "TOTAL ASSETS" means, at any time, the total consolidated assets of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries at such time. For the purposes of
paragraph (iv) of the covenant described under the caption "Certain
Covenants--Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock," Total
Assets shall be determined giving pro forma effect to the lease, acquisition,
construction or improvement of the assets being leased, acquired, constructed or
improved with the proceeds of the relevant Indebtedness.
 
    "UNRESTRICTED SUBSIDIARY" means (i) any Receivables Subsidiary in existence
on the Original Issue Date and (ii) any other Subsidiary that is designated by
the Board of Directors as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a Board
Resolution; but only to the extent that such Subsidiary: (a) has no Indebtedness
other than Non-Recourse Debt; (b) is not party to any agreement, contract,
arrangement or understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or
understanding are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary
than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not
Affiliates of the Company; (c) is a Person with respect to which neither the
Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect
obligation (x) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (y) to maintain
or preserve such Person's financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve
any specified levels of operating results; and (d) has not guaranteed or
otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support for any Indebtedness of
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries. Any such designation by the
Board of Directors shall be evidenced to the Trustees by filing with the
Trustees a certified copy of the Board Resolution giving effect to such
designation and an Officers' Certificate certifying that such designation
complied with the foregoing conditions and was permitted by the covenant
described above under the caption "--Certain Covenants--Restricted Payments."
If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would
 
                                      102
<PAGE>
fail to meet the foregoing requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it shall
thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of the Indentures
and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be incurred by a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of such date (and, if such Indebtedness
is not permitted to be incurred as of such date under the covenant described
under the caption "--Certain Covenants--Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance
of Preferred Stock," the Company shall be in default of such covenant). The
Board of Directors of the Company may at any time designate any Unrestricted
Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; PROVIDED that such designation shall
be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary and such
designation shall only be permitted if (i) such Indebtedness is permitted under
the covenant described under the caption "--Certain Covenants-- Incurrence of
Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock," calculated on a pro forma basis
as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the four-quarter
reference period, and (ii) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence
following such designation.
 
    "VOTING STOCK" of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such
Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of
Directors of such Person.
 
    "WEIGHTED AVERAGE LIFE TO MATURITY" means, when applied to any Indebtedness
at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the
products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining
installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of
principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (b) the
number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between
such date and the making of such payment, by (ii) the then outstanding principal
amount of such Indebtedness.
 
    "WHOLLY OWNED RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARY" of any Person means a Restricted
Subsidiary of such Person all of the outstanding Capital Stock or other
ownership interests of which (other than directors' qualifying shares) shall at
the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly Owned Restricted
Subsidiaries of such Person and one or more Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries
of such Person.
 
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                    CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
    In the opinion of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, the following is a general
description of the material United States federal income tax consequences of the
Exchange Offer and the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Securities to
Holders of the Securities. This discussion does not purport to deal with all
aspects of federal income taxation that may be relevant to Holders in light of
their personal investment circumstances, nor to certain types of Holders subject
to special treatment under the federal income tax laws (for example, banks, life
insurance companies, foreign persons and persons holding the Securities as part
of a hedging or conversion transaction) and is generally limited to investors
who will hold the Securities as capital assets. In addition, this description
does not consider the effect of any applicable foreign, state or local tax laws.
Investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors as to the precise federal,
state, local and other tax consequences of the Exchange Offer and the purchase,
ownership and disposition of the Securities.
 
    This discussion is based on current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), existing and proposed Treasury Regulations
thereunder, rulings of the Internal Revenue Service (the "Service") and judicial
decisions now in effect, all of which are subject to change, possibly
retroactively. No ruling will be sought from the Service with respect to the
federal income tax consequences of the Exchange Offer, and there can be no
assurance that the Service will not assert positions contrary to the views
expressed herein, or that any such contrary position would not be sustained.
 
    THIS SECTION DOES NOT PURPORT TO DEAL WITH ALL ASPECTS OF FEDERAL INCOME
TAXATION THAT MIGHT BE RELEVANT TO AN INVESTOR'S DECISION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE
EXCHANGE OFFER. EACH INVESTOR SHOULD CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR CONCERNING THE
APPLICATION OF THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS AND OTHER TAX LAWS TO ITS PARTICULAR
SITUATION BEFORE DETERMINING WHETHER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER.
 
THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
    The exchange of Old Notes for Notes and of Old Discount Notes for Discount
Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer will not constitute a material modification
of the terms of the Old Notes, the Notes, the Old Discount Notes or the Discount
Notes and, accordingly, such exchange will not constitute an exchange for
federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, such exchange will have no federal
income tax consequences to the Holders, regardless of whether such Holders
participate in the Exchange Offer and each Holder will continue to be required
to include interest (including, in the case of the Discount Notes, original
issue discount, or "OID") on such Note or Discount Note in its gross income in
accordance with such Holder's method of accounting for federal income tax
purposes and in accordance with the rules regarding the inclusion in income of
OID as discussed below. The Company intends, to the extent required, to treat
the Exchange Offer for federal income tax purposes in accordance with the
position described above.
 
TAXATION OF STATED INTEREST AND ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT
 
    The Old Notes were issued at their stated principal amount and, accordingly,
were not issued with OID within the meaning of Section 1273 of the Code. Thus,
stated interest on the Notes will be includable in gross income as ordinary
income when received or accrued by Noteholders in accordance with their
respective methods of tax accounting.
 
    The Discount Notes were offered at a substantial discount from their stated
principal amount, and, accordingly, Holders of Discount Notes will be required
to include stated interest and original issue discount on the Discount Notes in
gross income in accordance with the OID provisions of the Code discussed below,
and may be required to include amounts in income with respect to such Discount
Notes prior to the receipt of cash payments attributable to such income, without
regard to whether the Holder is a cash or accrual method taxpayer.
 
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    A Discount Noteholder (including a cash basis Discount Noteholder) generally
will be required to accrue the OID on a Discount Note in income for federal
income tax purposes on a constant yield basis, which ordinarily will result in
the inclusion of increasing amounts of OID in income in successive accrual
periods.
 
    A subsequent purchaser of a Discount Note also will be required to include
annual accruals of OID in gross income in accordance with the rules described
above, but the amount of OID includable in income may vary depending upon the
price paid for the Discount Note by such subsequent purchaser. If a subsequent
purchaser purchases a Discount Note at a cost that is less than its stated
redemption amount at maturity but that is in excess of its adjusted issue price
(i.e., its issue price increased by the OID previously includable in gross
income of prior holders and decreased by prior cash payments), the includable
OID will be reduced by an amount equal to the OID multiplied by a fraction the
numerator of which is such excess and the denominator of which is the amount of
OID for the period remaining after the subsequent purchaser's purchase until
maturity.
 
    Interest (including OID inclusions) received on the Securities will
constitute "investment income" for purposes of certain limitations of the Code
concerning the deductibility of "investment interest" expense.
 
    MARKET DISCOUNT.  A Holder that purchases a Security at a discount (the
"Market Discount") from its adjusted issue price that exceeds a specified DE
MINIMIS amount may be subject to the "market discount" rules of sections 1276
through 1278 of the Code. These rules provide, in part, that gain on the sale or
other disposition of a debt instrument and partial principal payments on a debt
instrument are treated as ordinary income to the extent of accrued market
discount. Unless the Holder elects to include market discount in income on a
constant yield basis, the accrued market discount at any time generally would be
the amount calculated by multiplying the market discount by a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of days the obligation has been held by the
Holder and the denominator of which is the number of days after the Holder's
acquisition of the obligation up to and including its maturity date. As an
alternative to the inclusion of the market discount in income on the foregoing
basis, the Holder may elect to include market discount in income currently as it
accrues on all market discount instruments acquired by such Holder in that
taxable year or thereafter, in which case the interest deferral rule described
below will not apply. This election would apply to all market discount
obligations acquired by the electing Holder on or after the first day of the
first taxable year to which the election applies. The election may be revoked
only with the consent of the Service. Purchasers that acquire a Security with
market discount should consult their tax advisors regarding the manner in which
accrued market discount is calculated and the election to include such market
discount currently in income.
 
    The market discount rules also provide for the deferral of interest
deductions with respect to debt incurred to purchase or carry a debt instrument
that has market discount in excess of the aggregate amount of interest
(including OID) includable in such holder's gross income for the taxable year
with respect to such debt instrument.
 
    BOND PREMIUM.  A Holder that purchases a Security for an amount that exceeds
the sum of all amounts payable on the Security, other than payments of qualified
stated interest, will be considered to have purchased the Security at a premium.
The Holder may elect to amortize such premium as an offset to interest income
(and not as a separate deduction item) on a constant yield method. If a Holder
makes an election to amortize premium on a Security, such election will apply to
all taxable debt instruments held by the Holder at the beginning of the taxable
year in which the election is made, and to all taxable debt instruments acquired
thereafter by such Holder. Such election may be revoked only with the consent of
the Service. Purchasers that purchase the Securities at a premium should consult
their tax advisors regarding the election to amortize premium and the method to
be employed.
 
    GAIN OR LOSS ON DISPOSITION OF THE SECURITIES.  If a Security is sold,
exchanged or otherwise disposed of, the Holder generally will recognize gain or
loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount
 
                                      105
<PAGE>
realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition and such Holder's adjusted
basis in the Security. The adjusted basis of the Security generally will equal
the Holder's cost, increased by any OID or market discount previously includable
in income by the Holder with respect to the Security, and reduced by the
payments, if any, previously received by the Holder and any premium amortized by
the Holder with respect to the Security. Any such gain or loss will, subject to
the preceding discussion of the market discount rules, be capital gain or loss
if the Security was held as a capital asset. Capital gain or loss will be
long-term if the Security is held by the Holder for more than one year. Recently
enacted legislation provides that for individual Holders, the maximum rate of
United States federal income taxation on net long-term capital gains is 28% if
the Security was held for more than one year but not more than eighteen months,
and 20% if the Security was held for over eighteen months.
 
BACKUP WITHHOLDING
 
    A Holder may be subject to backup withholding at the rate of 31%, with
respect to interest paid on, or proceeds from the disposition of, a Security,
unless such Holder (a) is a corporation or comes within certain other exempt
categories and, when required, demonstrates this fact, or (b) provides a correct
taxpayer identification number, certifies as to the Holder's exemption from
backup withholding and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the
backup withholding rules. A Holder who does not provide the Company or the
Holder's broker with such Holder's correct taxpayer identification number may be
subject to penalties imposed by the Service. Any amount paid as backup
withholding will be credited against the Holder's income tax liability. The
Company will report to the Holders and the Service the amount of any "reportable
payments" for each calendar year and the amount of tax withheld, if any, with
respect to payments made with respect to the Securities.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
    Each broker-dealer that receives Securities for its own account pursuant to
the Exchange Offer (a "Participating Broker") must acknowledge that it will
deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Securities. This
Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used
by a Participating Broker in connection with any resale of Securities received
in exchange for Old Securities where such Old Securities were acquired as a
result of market-making activities or other trading activities. The Company has
agreed that for a period of one year from the Expiration Date, it will make this
Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, available to any Participating Broker
for use in connection with any such resale. In addition, until             ,
1997 (90 days from the date of this Prospectus), all dealers effecting
transactions in the Securities may be required to deliver a prospectus.
 
    The Company will not receive any proceeds from any sale of Securities by
broker-dealers. Securities received by any Participating Broker may be sold from
time to time in one or more transactions in the over-the-counter market, in
negotiated transactions, through the writing of options on the Securities or a
combination of such methods of resale, at market prices prevailing at the time
of resale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated
prices. Any such resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through
brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or
concessions from any such broker-dealer and/or the purchasers of any such
Securities. Any Participating Broker that resells Securities that were received
by it for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer and any broker or
dealer that participates in a distribution of such Securities may be deemed to
be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act and any profit on
any such resale of Securities and any commissions or concessions received by any
such persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities
Act. The Letter of Transmittal states that by acknowledging that it will
deliver, and by delivering, a prospectus as required, a Participating Broker
will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of
the Securities Act.
 
    For a period of one year from the Expiration Date, the Company will send a
reasonable number of additional copies of this Prospectus and any amendment or
supplement to this Prospectus to any
 
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Participating Broker that requests such documents in the Letter of Transmittal.
The Company will pay all the expenses incident to the Exchange Offer (which
shall not include the expenses of any Holder in connection with resales of the
Securities). The Company has agreed to indemnify Holders of the Securities,
including any Participating Broker, against certain liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
    The validity of the Securities offered hereby will be passed upon for the
Company by Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP and, as to certain matters governed by
the laws of the State of Arkansas, Gus J. Athas, General Counsel to the Company
and the Guarantors.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
    The consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 1996
and December 31, 1995 and for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1996, included herein have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP,
independent public accountants, as indicated in their report with respect
thereto included herein. Such consolidated financial statements are included
herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in giving said
reports.
 
                             CHANGE IN ACCOUNTANTS
 
    Following the consummation of the Recapitalization and with the approval of
the board of directors of the Company, Arthur Andersen LLP was dismissed by
management as the Company's independent accountants and Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
was engaged as the Company's new independent accountants.
 
    The reports of Arthur Andersen LLP with respect to the financial statements
of the Company for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended December
31, 1996 did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, and were
not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting
principles. In connection with its audits for each of the three fiscal years in
the period ended December 31, 1996 and through July 21, 1997 there were no
disagreements between the Company and Arthur Andersen LLP on any matter of
accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing
scope or procedures, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of
Arthur Andersen LLP, would have caused it to make reference to the subject
matter thereof in connection with its reports on the financial statements for
such years.
 
                                      107
<PAGE>
                   INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                               PAGE
                                                                                                             ---------
<S>                                                                                                          <C>
AUDITED YEAR-END FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Report of Independent Public Accountants...................................................................  F-2
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets................................................................................  F-3
 
Consolidated Statements of Income..........................................................................  F-4
 
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity............................................................  F-5
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows......................................................................  F-6
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.................................................................  F-7
 
SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)...................................................................  F-30
 
UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets......................................................................  F-31
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income................................................................  F-32
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows............................................................  F-33
 
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.......................................................  F-34
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
To the Board of Directors of Falcon Building Products, Inc.:
 
    We have audited the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets for Falcon
Building Products, Inc. (a Delaware Corporation) and Subsidiaries as of December
31, 1995 and 1996, and the related Consolidated Statements of Income,
Stockholders' Equity and Cash Flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 1996. These financial statements are the responsibility of
the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits.
 
    We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
    In our opinion, the Consolidated Financial Statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of
Falcon Building Products, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995 and
1996, and the results of their operations and cash flows for each of the three
years in the period ended December 31, 1996, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.
 
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Chicago, Illinois
February 5, 1997 (except with respect
to the matter discussed in Note 15, as to
which the date is June 17, 1997)
 
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
                (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                         ------------------------
                                                                                                         1996
                                                                                            1995      -----------
                                                                                         -----------
                                                                                         (RESTATED)
<S>                                                                                      <C>          <C>
                                                     ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents............................................................   $     1.1    $     3.9
  Accounts receivable, net.............................................................         5.1           --
  Inventories, net.....................................................................        56.9         76.2
  Other current assets.................................................................         9.7         15.6
                                                                                         -----------  -----------
  Total current assets.................................................................        72.8         95.7
Property, plant and equipment, net.....................................................        88.7         97.4
Goodwill...............................................................................        39.4         59.1
Other assets...........................................................................         9.9          9.5
                                                                                         -----------  -----------
  Total assets.........................................................................   $   210.8    $   261.7
                                                                                         -----------  -----------
                                                                                         -----------  -----------
 
                                      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Current portion long-term debt.......................................................   $    12.7    $    15.2
  Accounts payable.....................................................................        37.5         50.1
  Accrued liabilities..................................................................        27.2         30.9
                                                                                         -----------  -----------
  Total current liabilities............................................................        77.4         96.2
Long-term debt.........................................................................       110.9        109.1
Accrued employee benefit obligations...................................................         9.0          8.7
Other long-term liabilities............................................................        15.7         19.8
                                                                                         -----------  -----------
  Total liabilities....................................................................       213.0        233.8
                                                                                         -----------  -----------
Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, 10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued
    and outstanding....................................................................          --           --
  Class A stock, par value $.01 per share, 30,000,000 shares authorized, 6,070,500
    issued and outstanding at December 31, 1995, 20,070,500 shares issued and
    outstanding at December 31, 1996...................................................         0.1          0.2
  Class B stock, par value $.01 per share, 14,000,000 shares authorized, 14,000,000
    shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 1995, none issued and outstanding at
    December 31, 1996..................................................................         0.1           --
  Additional paid-in capital...........................................................        18.0         18.0
  Retained earnings (deficit)..........................................................       (17.2)        12.8
  Pension liability adjustment.........................................................        (0.4)        (0.5)
  Unearned compensation................................................................        (0.6)        (0.4)
  Notes receivable arising from stock purchase plan....................................        (2.2)        (2.2)
                                                                                         -----------  -----------
  Total stockholders' equity...........................................................        (2.2)        27.9
                                                                                         -----------  -----------
  Total liabilities and stockholders' equity...........................................   $   210.8    $   261.7
                                                                                         -----------  -----------
                                                                                         -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part
                              of these statements.
 
                                      F-3
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
                (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                         -------------------------------
                                                                           1994       1995       1996
                                                                         ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                      <C>        <C>        <C>
Net sales..............................................................  $   440.7  $   471.3  $   633.2
Cost of sales..........................................................      344.9      378.5      513.6
                                                                         ---------  ---------  ---------
  Gross earnings.......................................................       95.8       92.8      119.6
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses...........................       42.2       43.7       55.7
Securitization expense.................................................        1.9        3.3        4.1
                                                                         ---------  ---------  ---------
  Operating income.....................................................       51.7       45.8       59.8
 
Net interest expense...................................................        8.3       10.0       11.0
                                                                         ---------  ---------  ---------
Income before income taxes.............................................       43.4       35.8       48.8
Provision for income taxes.............................................       17.5       13.7       18.8
                                                                         ---------  ---------  ---------
  Net income...........................................................  $    25.9  $    22.1  $    30.0
                                                                         ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                         ---------  ---------  ---------
 
Earnings per share:
  Net income...........................................................  $    1.29  $    1.10  $    1.50
                                                                         ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                         ---------  ---------  ---------
 
  Shares outstanding for all periods: 20,070,500
 
SUPPLEMENTARY PRO FORMA INCOME DATA - UNAUDITED (NOTE 3)
 
Operating income.......................................................  $    50.6     --         --
Net income.............................................................  $    26.0     --         --
 
Earnings per share common share:
  Net income...........................................................  $    1.30     --         --
</TABLE>
 
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part
                              of these statements.
 
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
                                 (IN MILLIONS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               ADDITIONAL      RETAINED        PENSION
                                                                 PAID-IN       EARNINGS       LIABILITY      UNEARNED
                                CLASS A STOCK  CLASS B STOCK     CAPITAL       (DEFICIT)     ADJUSTMENT    COMPENSATION
                                -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                             <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Balance at December 31,
  1993........................    $      --      $      --      $    28.2      $    45.8      $    (0.5)     $      --
  Net income..................           --             --             --           25.9             --             --
  Sales of Class A Stock......          0.1             --           63.4             --             --             --
  Conversion of Common Stock
    to Class B Stock..........           --            0.1           (0.1)            --             --             --
  Stock purchase plan.........           --             --            2.4             --             --             --
  Unearned compensation
    restricted stock..........           --             --            0.8             --             --           (0.8)
  Assumption of deferred
    financing fees from
    affiliate.................           --             --            3.0             --             --             --
  Dividends paid to
    affiliate.................           --             --             --         (111.0)            --             --
  Assumption of debt from
    affiliate.................           --             --         (114.9)            --             --             --
  Forgiveness of advances from
    affiliate.................           --             --           35.2             --             --             --
                                -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Balance at December 31,
  1994........................          0.1            0.1           18.0          (39.3)          (0.5)          (0.8)
  Net income..................           --             --             --           22.1             --             --
  Other.......................           --             --             --             --            0.1            0.2
                                -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Balance at December 31,
  1995........................          0.1            0.1           18.0          (17.2)          (0.4)          (0.6)
  Net income..................           --             --             --           30.0             --             --
  Conversion of Class B Stock
    to Class A Stock..........          0.1           (0.1)            --             --             --             --
  Other.......................           --             --             --             --           (0.1)           0.2
                                -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Balance at December 31,
  1996........................    $     0.2      $      --      $    18.0      $    12.8      $    (0.5)     $    (0.4)
                                -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
                                -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
 
<CAPTION>
                                 NOTES FROM
                                    STOCK
                                PURCHASE PLAN
                                -------------
<S>                             <C>
Balance at December 31,
  1993........................    $      --
  Net income..................           --
  Sales of Class A Stock......           --
  Conversion of Common Stock
    to Class B Stock..........           --
  Stock purchase plan.........         (2.2)
  Unearned compensation
    restricted stock..........           --
  Assumption of deferred
    financing fees from
    affiliate.................           --
  Dividends paid to
    affiliate.................           --
  Assumption of debt from
    affiliate.................           --
  Forgiveness of advances from
    affiliate.................           --
                                -------------
Balance at December 31,
  1994........................         (2.2)
  Net income..................           --
  Other.......................           --
                                -------------
Balance at December 31,
  1995........................         (2.2)
  Net income..................           --
  Conversion of Class B Stock
    to Class A Stock..........           --
  Other.......................           --
                                -------------
Balance at December 31,
  1996........................    $    (2.2)
                                -------------
                                -------------
</TABLE>
 
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part
                              of these statements.
 
                                      F-5
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
                                 (IN MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                       -------------------------------
                                                                                         1994       1995       1996
                                                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                                    <C>        <C>        <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net income.........................................................................  $    25.9  $    22.1  $    30.0
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operations:
    Depreciation.....................................................................       11.0       12.9       13.7
    Amortization.....................................................................        1.9        2.1        1.8
    Deferred income tax provision (benefit)..........................................       (1.3)       0.2       (2.9)
    Proceeds from the initial sale of accounts receivable............................       54.3         --         --
    Cash effects, excluding acquisitions, of changes in:
      Accounts receivable, net of residual interest..................................       (4.5)       0.3        6.2
      Inventories....................................................................       (5.7)     (10.2)     (14.0)
      Other current assets...........................................................        1.7        1.4       (1.5)
      Accounts payable...............................................................       19.6      (13.0)      10.2
      Accrued liabilities and accrued employee benefit obligations...................        6.0        3.6       (2.4)
                                                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
  Net cash from operations...........................................................      108.9       19.4       41.1
                                                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Purchase of businesses.............................................................     --          (10.4)     (18.8)
  Capital expenditures...............................................................      (19.7)     (16.4)     (20.0)
  Other..............................................................................       (0.4)      (2.2)       0.2
                                                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
  Net cash used in investing activities..............................................      (20.1)     (29.0)     (38.6)
                                                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Net proceeds from issuance of common stock.........................................       63.3     --         --
  Proceeds from bank credit facility.................................................      115.0     --         --
  Net payments to affiliate..........................................................     (263.7)    --         --
  Net borrowings (repayments) of debt................................................       (2.6)       8.5        0.3
                                                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
  Net cash provided by(used in) financing activities.................................      (88.0)       8.5        0.3
                                                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS..................................................        0.8       (1.1)       2.8
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD.......................................        1.4        2.2        1.1
                                                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD.............................................  $     2.2  $     1.1  $     3.9
                                                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
NET CASH PAID DURING THE PERIOD FOR:
  Interest...........................................................................  $     7.6  $    10.3  $    11.0
  Income taxes to affiliate..........................................................       18.8     --            4.6
  Income taxes to third parties......................................................        1.5       14.2       23.5
NON-CASH ACTIVITY:
  Forgiveness of debt by affiliate...................................................  $    35.2  $  --      $  --
</TABLE>
 
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part
                              of these statements.
 
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(1)  BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
    Falcon Building Products, Inc. (the "Company") is a manufacturer and
distributor of products for the residential and commercial construction and home
improvement markets.
 
    Pursuant to a reorganization in contemplation of a public offering to sell
common stock, the Company was restructured and recapitalized as an indirect
wholly-owned subsidiary of Eagle Industries, Inc. ("Eagle"). Eagle is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Great American Management and Investment, Inc.
("GAMI") which is wholly-owned by Equity Holdings Limited, an Illinois limited
partnership ("EHL"). In connection therewith, Eagle contributed to the Company
the stock and certain assets and liabilities of the companies comprising Eagle's
building products segment. This contribution has been accounted for in a manner
similar to that utilized in pooling-of-interest accounting. On November 9, 1994,
the Company completed an initial public offering of 6,000,000 shares (30%) of
its Class A common stock (the "Offering"). In May 1996, Eagle distributed its
ownership of the Company's Class B common stock to EHL. Pursuant to provisions
in the Company's charter, the transfer of the Class B common stock to EHL
resulted in its conversion to Class A common stock.
 
    The Company's 1994 financial information included herein is not necessarily
indicative of the results that would have been reported if the Company had
operated as an unaffiliated enterprise. The Consolidated Statements of Income
include a proportional allocation of costs incurred by Eagle that benefited the
Company. Such expenses relate to strategic direction, operating oversight,
legal, finance and administration of benefit and insurance programs. Management
believes that the allocation method is reasonable (see Note 12). If the Company
had not operated as a subsidiary of Eagle, but rather had operated as an
unaffiliated public company, management believes operating expenses would have
been approximately $0.9 million higher in the year ended December 31, 1994. The
increased expenses include additional personnel, investor relations, director
and officer insurance and director fees and expenses.
 
(2)  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
 
    BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION:
 
    The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of
the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and
transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain historical data have
been restated to conform to the 1996 presentation.
 
    USE OF ESTIMATES:
 
    These Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles and necessarily include amounts
based on estimates and assumptions by management. Actual results could differ
from those amounts.
 
    INVENTORIES:
 
    Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost includes raw
materials, labor and manufacturing overhead. The last-in, first-out ("LIFO")
method of inventory valuation is used for 62.4% and 41.1% of inventory at
December 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively. The first-in, first-out ("FIFO")
method of inventory valuation is used for the remaining inventory.
 
                                      F-7
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(2)  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: (CONTINUED)
    IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS:
 
    Effective January 1, 1996, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of
Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of" ("SFAS No. 121").
SFAS No. 121 prescribes that an impairment loss is recognized in the event that
facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be
recoverable and an estimate of future undiscounted cash flows is less than the
carrying amount of the asset. There was no material effect on the financial
statements from the adoption of SFAS No. 121 as the Company's prior impairment
recognition practice was consistent with the major provisions of the statement.
 
    PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
 
    Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. The straight-line method
is generally used to provide for depreciation over the estimated useful lives of
the assets, which range from 10 to 40 years for buildings and 3 to 12 years for
machinery and equipment.
 
    GOODWILL:
 
    Goodwill represents the purchase price associated with acquired businesses
in excess of the fair value of the net assets acquired. Goodwill is amortized on
a straight-line basis, primarily over forty years. Accumulated amortization was
$11.8 million and $13.6 million at December 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively. The
recoverability of goodwill is reassessed periodically to determine if current
operating income is sufficient to recover the current amortization. When events
and circumstances indicate that future operating income and cash flow may be
negatively affected, the recoverability is evaluated based upon the estimated
future operating income and undiscounted cash flow of the related entity during
the remaining period of goodwill amortization.
 
    REVENUE RECOGNITION:
 
    The Company recognizes revenues as products are shipped to customers.
 
    INCOME TAXES:
 
    The Company was included in GAMI's consolidated U.S. federal income tax
return until the consummation of the Offering in November 1994. In addition, the
Company filed certain combined state tax returns with GAMI until the
distribution to EHL in 1996. Under the terms of the GAMI-Falcon Disaffiliation
Tax Sharing Agreement (the "Tax Sharing Agreement"), the Company computed and
paid to GAMI its liability for U.S. federal income taxes as if the Company filed
a separate U.S. federal income tax return. For periods subsequent to the
Offering, a separate U.S. federal income tax return will be filed for the
Company. The Company files separate U.S. state income tax returns.
 
    EARNINGS PER SHARE:
 
    Earnings per share amounts were calculated based on 20,070,500 shares
outstanding, the number of shares outstanding as a result of the consummation of
the Offering. This does not reflect the Company's historical capital structure.
 
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(3)  PRO FORMA INFORMATION
 
    The supplementary pro forma net income and per share data included in the
Consolidated Statements of Income reflects the results of operations for the
year ended December 31, 1994 adjusted to reflect (i) the sale of 6,000,000
shares of common stock by the Company in the Offering, (ii) incremental stand-
alone costs for operating as a public entity, (iii) costs associated with the
Company's participation in Eagle's asset securitization program (see Note 5),
(iv) the change in interest expense associated with the new Bank Credit Facility
(prior to the amendment and restatement in June 1995), and (v) the tax effects
of these adjustments, as if the Offering (and resulting adjustments) had been
consummated at the beginning of the period presented.
 
(4)  ACQUISITIONS
 
    On January 2, 1996, the Company acquired the stock of Ex-Cell Manufacturing
Company, Inc. ("Ex-Cell"), a manufacturer of cold-water power washers. The
Company paid $18.8 million in cash for the stock of Ex-Cell and estimates that
it will pay an additional $6.5 million over the next three years beginning in
February 1997. This additional payment represents a contingent portion of the
purchase price pursuant to the purchase agreement based on achievement of
certain sales targets. The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase and
resulted in $19.5 million of goodwill, which, consistent with the Company's
policy, will be amortized over 40 years. The operations of Ex-Cell were included
in the Company's operations beginning on January 2, 1996.
 
(5)  ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
 
    Between January 1994 and April 1996, the Company participated in Eagle's
securitization program, selling its receivables to Eagle, which in turn sold
certain of its receivables, including those acquired from the Company, to a
"Master Trust." Due to the number of business divestitures at Eagle during the
first quarter of 1996, Eagle decided to terminate its securitization program.
Eagle coordinated the termination of its program with the Company to allow the
Company to establish its own securitization program.
 
    In April 1996, the Company entered into receivable sale agreements with a
financial institution and its affiliate (collectively, the "Bank Group") whereby
it will sell, with limited recourse, on a continuous basis, an undivided
interest in all of its accounts receivable for cash, while maintaining a
residual interest in the receivables. Under these agreements, which expire in
1999, the maximum amount of proceeds which may be accessed at any one time is
$85 million, subject to change based on the level of eligible receivables. To
establish this new securitization program, the Company: (1) acquired a special
purpose company from Eagle to facilitate the establishment of the Falcon
securitization program; 2) acquired from the Master Trust the receivables it had
previously sold to Eagle; (3) immediately sold these re-acquired receivables
through the special purpose company to the Bank Group; and (4) sold the
receivables of two of its subsidiaries, which were not previously participating
in the Eagle securitization program, through the special purpose company to the
Bank Group. The Company paid $69 million to acquire its receivables from the
Master Trust utilizing the $55 million of proceeds received from selling these
receivables to the Bank Group plus a $14 million draw on the Company's revolving
credit facility. This $14 million represented the Company's residual interest in
the receivables sold to the Bank Group. Additionally, the Company received $11
million in cash and retained a residual interest of $3 million from the initial
sale of the receivables from subsidiaries not previously participating in the
Eagle securitization program.
 
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(5)  ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE (CONTINUED)
    At December 31, 1996, uncollected receivables sold under the agreement were
$75.2 million. Included in the Company's financial statements in other current
assets is a net residual interest of $1.9 million. The expense incurred on the
sale of the receivables under these programs was $1.9 million, $3.3 million and
$4.1 million in years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively.
 
(6)  DEBT
 
    BANK CREDIT FACILITY:
 
    In connection with the Offering, the Company entered into a senior credit
facility with a group of banks. On June 30, 1995, the Company amended and
restated its senior credit facility, increasing it to a $250 million credit
facility (the "Bank Credit Facility"). The Bank Credit Facility consists of a
six-year $100.0 million term loan, maturing in June 2001, due in quarterly
installments increasing in amount from $2.5 million at September 30, 1995 to
$6.25 million per quarter beginning in September 2000, and a $150.0 million
revolving credit facility (the "Revolver") that expires in 2001, which may be
extended through 2002. Borrowings under the Bank Credit Facility bear interest,
at management's option, at rates equal to London Interbank Offered Rates
("LIBOR") plus a margin, or at the prime rate plus a margin. The Bank Credit
Facility is secured by substantially all of the inventory, intangibles,
property, plant, equipment and capital stock of the Company's subsidiaries. At
December 31, 1996, the term loan and revolver loan portions outstanding under
the Bank Credit Facility were $82.5 million and $39.0 million, respectively. The
Bank Credit Facility also allows for $25.0 million to be used in the form of
letters of credit. The use of letters of credit reduces the availability of
funds under the Revolver.
 
    The Bank Credit Facility contains various covenants pertaining to the
maintenance of certain cash flow and expense coverage ratios, the incurrence of
additional indebtedness and restrictions on the payment of dividends.
 
    In May 1995, the Company entered into a five-year interest rate swap
agreement. This agreement, covering $100.0 million of the Company's floating
rate debt, fixed the interest rate at 6.52% per annum, plus the then current
applicable margin. The effect on net income of this swap was not material.
 
    Additional debt of the Company consists of three industrial revenue bonds,
two in the amount of $1.0 million each which bear interest at 7.4% and 7.5% and
another in the amount of $0.3 million which bears interest ranging from 6.2% to
6.7% and a capital lease obligation of $0.5 million. The average monthly debt
during 1996 was $141.2 million, an increase of $13.9 million over the comparable
1995 average debt. This increase is primarily due to increased borrowing to fund
acquisitions and the establishment of the Company's securitization program.
 
(7)  EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT AND BENEFIT PLANS
 
    PENSION:
 
    Substantially all hourly employees are covered by Company or union sponsored
defined benefit plans. The Company's salaried and certain hourly employees
participate in a pension plan which provides benefits that are based on the
employee's years of service with the Company and the employee's compensation.
Prior to 1996, this plan was sponsored by Eagle and amounts presented in the
following tables related to this plan for periods prior to 1996 represent the
portion of the plan allocated to the
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(7)  EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT AND BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)
Company as calculated by Eagle's consulting actuary. In January 1996, a separate
plan sponsored by the Company, which mirrored the Eagle plan, was established.
For other employees, pension benefits are provided based on a stated amount for
each year of service. The Company's funding policy for all plans is to make no
less than the minimum annual contributions required by applicable governmental
regulations.
 
    The following table sets forth the funded status for all defined benefit
pension plans and related amounts recognized in the Company's Consolidated
Financial Statements:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               DECEMBER 31, 1995                 DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                                        --------------------------------  --------------------------------
                                                          PLANS WHOSE      PLANS WHOSE      PLANS WHOSE      PLANS WHOSE
                                                         ASSETS EXCEED     ACCUMULATED     ASSETS EXCEED     ACCUMULATED
                                                          ACCUMULATED       BENEFITS        ACCUMULATED       BENEFITS
                                                           BENEFITS       EXCEED ASSETS      BENEFITS       EXCEED ASSETS
                                                        ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                                                                  (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                     <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>
Actuarial present value of:
  Accumulated benefit obligation......................     $    18.6        $     5.8        $    21.1        $     6.2
                                                               -----            -----            -----            -----
                                                               -----            -----            -----            -----
  Vested benefits.....................................     $    17.5        $     5.7        $    17.7        $     6.0
                                                               -----            -----            -----            -----
                                                               -----            -----            -----            -----
Projected benefit obligation..........................     $    18.6        $     5.8        $    21.1        $     6.2
Plan assets at fair value.............................          21.2              5.4             22.8              5.8
                                                               -----            -----            -----            -----
Plan assets in excess of (less than) projected benefit
  obligation..........................................           2.6             (0.4)             1.7             (0.4)
Net unrecognized (gain) loss..........................           2.5              0.6              2.7              0.7
Net unrecognized prior service costs (benefits).......          (0.5)             0.3             (0.3)             0.3
Unrecognized liability at August 1, 1987..............            --              0.2               --              0.2
Additional minimum liability..........................            --             (1.1)              --             (1.2)
                                                               -----            -----            -----            -----
Pension asset (liability) recognized in Consolidated
  Financial Statements................................     $     4.6        $    (0.4)       $     4.1        $    (0.4)
                                                               -----            -----            -----            -----
                                                               -----            -----            -----            -----
</TABLE>
 
    Plan assets generally consist of common stocks, fixed income instruments,
and certain purchased annuities.
 
    In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87,
"Employers' Accounting for Pensions" ("SFAS No. 87"), the Company has recorded
an additional minimum pension liability for underfunded plans at December 31,
1995 and December 31, 1996, representing the excess of unfunded accumulated
benefit obligations over previously recorded pension cost. A corresponding
amount is recognized as an intangible asset except to the extent that these
additional liabilities exceed related unrecognized prior service costs and net
transition obligations, in which case the increase in liabilities is charged
directly to stockholders' equity. At December 31, 1995 and 1996, the excess
minimum pension liability resulted in a net reduction of equity of $0.4 million
and $0.5 million, respectively.
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(7)  EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT AND BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)
    Net periodic pension cost for defined benefit pension plans reporting under
the provisions of SFAS No. 87 was:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                        -------------------------------
                                                                          1994       1995       1996
                                                                        ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                 (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                                     <C>        <C>        <C>
Service cost..........................................................  $     2.1  $     1.1  $     1.8
Interest cost.........................................................        1.9        1.3        1.8
Actual return on assets...............................................       (0.5)      (2.3)      (2.9)
Net amortization and deferral.........................................       (2.7)       0.6        0.6
                                                                        ---------  ---------  ---------
  Net periodic pension cost...........................................  $     0.8  $     0.7  $     1.3
                                                                        ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                        ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    The following assumptions were used in determining the actuarial present
value of the projected benefit obligation for the Company's defined benefit
plans for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996: weighted-average discount
rate of 7.5%; rate of increase in future compensation levels of 4.0%; and
expected long-term rate of return on assets of 9.0%.
 
    The Company and its subsidiaries also have several defined contribution
plans for certain employees. Prior to 1995, the Company and its subsidiaries
participated in an Eagle sponsored defined contribution plan for certain
employees. In January 1995, a separate Falcon sponsored plan which mirrored the
Eagle sponsored plan was established. Employer contributions to these plans were
$1.0 million, $1.0 million and $1.4 million in 1994, 1995 and 1996,
respectively. Contributions to this plan by the Company are determined based on
a percentage of the contribution made by the employee.
 
    OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS:
 
    The Company provides postretirement life and health-care benefits to certain
of its employees. The Company has four plans which provide these benefits to
employees retiring from the Company. Benefits are determined on varying formulas
based on age at retirement and years of active service. Two of the plans are
non-contributory. The Company has not funded any of this postretirement benefits
liability. Contributions to the postretirement plans are made by the Company as
claims are incurred.
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(7)  EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT AND BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)
    The following table sets forth postretirement benefits recognized in the
Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   DECEMBER 31,
                                                                               --------------------
                                                                                 1995       1996
                                                                               ---------  ---------
                                                                                  (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                                            <C>        <C>
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation:
  Retirees...................................................................  $     6.6  $     6.4
  Other fully eligible participants..........................................        2.2        2.1
  Other active participants..................................................        3.9        4.0
                                                                               ---------  ---------
    Subtotal.................................................................       12.7       12.5
 
  Unrecognized actuarial loss................................................       (4.0)      (3.4)
  Unrecognized prior service cost............................................       (0.1)        --
                                                                               ---------  ---------
Postretirement benefit liability recognized in Consolidated Financial
  Statements.................................................................  $     8.6  $     9.1
                                                                               ---------  ---------
                                                                               ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    Net postretirement benefit cost included the following components:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                          -------------------------------
                                                                            1994       1995       1996
                                                                          ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                   (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                                       <C>        <C>        <C>
Service cost............................................................  $     0.3  $     0.4  $     0.5
Interest cost...........................................................        0.6        0.7        0.9
Net amortization and deferral...........................................         --        0.1        0.2
                                                                                ---        ---        ---
    Net postretirement benefit cost.....................................  $     0.9  $     1.2  $     1.6
                                                                                ---        ---        ---
                                                                                ---        ---        ---
</TABLE>
 
    The accumulated postretirement benefit obligation was determined using an
assumed discount rate of 7.5% and 8.0% for the years ended December 31, 1995 and
1996, respectively, and health care cost trend rates of 12.0% in 1995 and 10.5%
in 1996, decreasing ratably to 6.0% by the year 1998. The effect of a one
percent increase in the health care cost trend rate assumption would increase
the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation, resulting in an increase to
the aggregate annual service cost and interest expense components by
approximately $0.2 million and $1.4 million, respectively.
 
(8)  INCOME TAXES
 
    As further discussed in Note 1, the Company was included in GAMI's
consolidated federal income tax return until the consummation of the Offering in
November 1994. In addition, the Company filed certain combined state returns
with GAMI until the distribution to EHL in 1996. Pursuant to the Tax Sharing
Agreement with GAMI, in December 1996, the Company paid GAMI $4.6 million for
tax liabilities it had incurred during these periods.
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(8)  INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
    The Company's Consolidated Financial Statements reflect the following
deferred tax assets and liabilities:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             DECEMBER 31,
                                                                         --------------------
                                                                           1995       1996
                                                                         ---------  ---------
                                                                             (DOLLARS IN
                                                                              MILLIONS)
<S>                                                                      <C>        <C>
Deferred tax assets:
  Inventory and receivable reserves....................................  $     2.6  $     4.5
  Accrued employee benefit obligations.................................        2.8        2.8
  Insurance reserves...................................................        4.0        5.5
  Other................................................................        5.4        5.8
                                                                         ---------  ---------
                                                                         $    14.8  $    18.6
                                                                         ---------  ---------
                                                                         ---------  ---------
Deferred tax liabilities:
  Property, plant and equipment basis difference.......................  $     7.3  $     8.1
                                                                         ---------  ---------
                                                                         ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    The components of the provision for income taxes are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           YEAR ENDED
                                                                                          DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                 -------------------------------
                                                                                   1994       1995       1996
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                      (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                                              <C>        <C>        <C>
Provision (benefit) for income taxes:
  Current:
    U.S. federal...............................................................  $    17.2  $    11.8  $    18.1
    U.S. state.................................................................        1.6        1.7        3.6
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
      Subtotal.................................................................       18.8       13.5       21.7
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
  Deferred:
    U.S. federal...............................................................       (1.4)       0.4       (2.3)
    U.S. state.................................................................        0.1       (0.2)      (0.6)
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
      Subtotal.................................................................       (1.3)       0.2       (2.9)
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
      Total....................................................................  $    17.5  $    13.7  $    18.8
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    Reconciliations of income taxes computed at the U.S. federal statutory rate
to the consolidated provision for income taxes are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       YEAR ENDED
                                                                                      DECEMBER 31,
                                                                          -------------------------------------
                                                                             1994         1995         1996
                                                                          -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                                  (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                                       <C>          <C>          <C>
U.S. federal statutory rate.............................................         35%          35%          35%
Income taxes at U.S. federal statutory rate.............................  $    15.2    $    12.5    $    17.1
U.S. state income taxes, net of U.S. federal............................        1.1          1.0          1.9
Amortization of intangibles.............................................        0.5          0.5          0.6
Other...................................................................        0.7         (0.3)        (0.8)
                                                                              -----        -----        -----
  Provision for income taxes............................................  $    17.5    $    13.7    $    18.8
                                                                              -----        -----        -----
                                                                              -----        -----        -----
  Effective income tax rate.............................................       40.4%        38.4%        38.4%
                                                                              -----        -----        -----
                                                                              -----        -----        -----
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(9) STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
    INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING:
 
    In November 1994, the Company completed an initial public offering of
6,000,000 shares of par value $.01 Class A Common Stock. The net proceeds to the
Company were approximately $63.4 million.
 
    CAPITAL STOCK:
 
    The Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation authorized 30,000,000
shares of Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value (the "Class A Stock"), 14,000,000
shares of Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value (the "Class B Stock" and,
together with the Class A Stock, the "Common Stock") and 10,000,000 shares of
preferred stock. Upon completion of the Offering, the Company had 6,070,500
shares of Class A Stock outstanding, including (i) 196,500 shares sold to the
Company's management in the public offering, (ii) 70,500 restricted shares
granted to them pursuant to the Company's 1994 Stock Option and Restricted Share
Plan, and 14,000,000 shares of Class B Stock outstanding, which was beneficially
owned by Eagle. In May 1996, Eagle transferred its ownership of the Company's
Class B Stock to EHL. Pursuant to provisions in the Company's charter, the
transfer of the Class B Stock to EHL resulted in its conversion to Class A
Stock. Therefore, at December 31, 1996, there were 20,070,500 shares of Class A
Stock outstanding and no shares of Class B Stock outstanding. No shares of
preferred stock have been issued.
 
    ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL:
 
    In contemplation of the Offering, the Company assumed $114.9 million of
Eagle's outstanding indebtedness in May 1994 through the issuance of unsecured
notes at an interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.75%. These notes were repaid using the
proceeds from the Offering and the Bank Credit Facility. As part of the
Offering, the Company assumed $3.0 million of deferred financing fees of Eagle.
 
    The Company's Class A Stock was issued at $12.00 per share resulting in a
net contribution to Additional paid-in capital of $66.6 million. In addition,
Eagle forgave $35.2 million of advances to affiliate which was treated as
additional paid-in capital.
 
    NOTES RECEIVABLE:
 
    Pursuant to the Company's Senior Executive Stock Purchase Plan (the
"Executive Stock Plan"), certain executive officers of the Company purchased a
total of 196,500 shares of Class A Stock for cash of $0.2 million and notes of
$2.2 million. These notes, which bear interest at 7.5% per annum, are due no
later than December 2001 or upon sale of the shares. These notes have been
classified as a component of Stockholders' equity in the Company's Consolidated
Balance Sheets. The shares cannot be sold prior to November 1997 and have been
pledged to the Company pursuant to the terms of the Executive Stock Plan.
 
    DIVIDENDS PAID:
 
    In May 1994, the Company declared and paid a dividend of $111.0 million
through the issuance of unsecured notes at an interest rate of 7% per annum.
These notes were repaid, in part, through proceeds from the Offering and the
issuance of the Bank Credit Facility. Any remaining obligations under these
notes were forgiven by Eagle.
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(10) STOCK OPTION PLAN
 
    In November 1994, the Company adopted the 1994 Stock Option and Restricted
Share Plan (the "1994 Plan"). Pursuant to the 1994 Plan, certain directors,
employees and officers of the Company are given the opportunity to acquire
shares of Class A Stock through the grant of non-qualified and qualified stock
options, stock appreciation rights and restricted shares. Options granted
pursuant to the 1994 Plan are exercisable at no less than the fair market value
of the Class A Stock at the time of grant. Qualified stock options shall expire
no more than ten years after the date of grant. Restricted shares awarded
pursuant to the 1994 Plan shall generally vest in equal portions over a
four-year period from the date of award. Upon a change in control, all options
shall become immediately exercisable and all restricted shares shall become
vested. The 1994 Plan also provides for the annual award of 2,000 nonqualified
stock options of Class A Stock to each director who is not an employee of Eagle
or its subsidiaries. A total of 1,700,000 shares of Common Stock is reserved for
issuance under the 1994 Plan. The 1994 Plan is administered by a committee of
the Board of Directors.
 
    Non-Qualified stock option activity is shown below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        OPTIONS OUTSTANDING        EXERCISABLE OPTIONS
                                                     -------------------------  -------------------------
                                                                    WEIGHTED                   WEIGHTED
                                                                      AVG.                       AVG.
                                                      NUMBER OF     EXERCISE     NUMBER OF     EXERCISE
                                                       SHARES        PRICE        SHARES        PRICE
                                                     -----------  ------------  -----------  ------------
<S>                                                  <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>
Balance at December 31, 1993.......................          --    $       --
  Granted..........................................     196,000         12.00
  Exercised........................................          --            --
  Canceled.........................................          --            --
                                                     -----------
Balance at December 31, 1994.......................     196,000         12.00           --    $       --
                                                                                -----------
                                                                                -----------
  Granted..........................................     309,500          9.59
  Exercised........................................          --            --
  Canceled.........................................      (6,000)        11.50
                                                     -----------
Balance at December 31, 1995.......................     499,500         10.51       48,000    $    12.00
                                                                                -----------
                                                                                -----------
  Granted..........................................     305,600         12.29
  Exercised........................................          --            --
  Canceled.........................................      (6,800)        10.53
                                                     -----------
Balance at December 31, 1996.......................     798,300    $    11.19      170,426    $    10.93
                                                     -----------                -----------
                                                     -----------                -----------
</TABLE>
 
    At December 31, 1996, the options outstanding and exercisable options
outstanding had exercise prices ranging from $8.85 to $12.56 and $9.35 to
$12.00, respectively. The weighted average remaining contractual life of the
options outstanding was 9 years. The weighted average fair value of options
granted in 1995 and 1996 was $9.65 and $12.39, respectively.
 
    The Company measures compensation cost using the intrinsic value-based
method of accounting pursuant to the provisions of APB Opinion No. 25. Had
compensation cost been determined on the fair market value-based accounting
method prescribed by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123
"Accounting for Stock Based Compensation" ("SFAS No. 123") for options granted
in 1996, pro forma net income would have been $29.8 million. Pro forma earnings
per share for 1996 would have been $1.48. There would have been no effect on
1995 results.
 
                                      F-16
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(10) STOCK OPTION PLAN (CONTINUED)
    For purposes of fair market value disclosures, the fair market value of an
option grant is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the
following assumptions:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    1995       1996
                                                                                  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                               <C>        <C>
Risk-Free Interest Rate.........................................................        6.0%       6.0%
Average Life of Options (years).................................................          5          5
Volatility......................................................................       39.6%      39.1%
Dividend Yield..................................................................         --         --
</TABLE>
 
    As part of the Offering, the Company awarded 70,500 restricted shares of
Class A Stock to certain officers, of which 35,250 shares were vested at
December 31, 1996. The market value of the shares awarded was $0.8 million. This
amount was recorded as unearned compensation and is shown as a separate
component of Stockholders' equity. Unearned compensation is being amortized to
expense over a four-year vesting period. This expense amounted to $0.2 million
in 1995 and 1996.
 
(11) BALANCE SHEET DETAIL
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                 --------------------
                                                                                   1995       1996
                                                                                 ---------  ---------
                                                                                     (DOLLARS IN
                                                                                      MILLIONS)
<S>                                                                              <C>        <C>
Inventories:
  Raw materials and supplies...................................................  $    21.6  $    30.9
  Work in process..............................................................       10.0       12.7
  Finished goods...............................................................       25.3       32.6
                                                                                 ---------  ---------
    Total......................................................................  $    56.9  $    76.2
                                                                                 ---------  ---------
                                                                                 ---------  ---------
  Excess of replacement cost over LIFO inventory cost..........................  $     3.0  $     3.0
                                                                                 ---------  ---------
                                                                                 ---------  ---------
Property, plant and equipment:
  Land.........................................................................  $     8.7  $     8.8
  Buildings....................................................................       42.1       48.0
  Machinery and equipment......................................................      102.8      117.0
  Construction in progress.....................................................       12.2       13.2
  Less accumulated depreciation................................................      (77.1)     (89.6)
                                                                                 ---------  ---------
    Total......................................................................  $    88.7  $    97.4
                                                                                 ---------  ---------
                                                                                 ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
(12) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
    The Company has in the past entered into agreements or arrangements with
affiliates relating to legal services, acquisition services, financing services,
and consulting arrangements which are described below. The fairness and
reasonableness of any compensation paid to such affiliates and any material
transactions between the Company and such affiliates in the future will be
approved by a majority of the independent members of the Board of Directors or
by an independent firm selected by such Board members. The Company believes that
the terms and resulting costs of all related party transactions and agreements
are no less favorable than those which could have been obtained from
non-affiliated parties.
 
                                      F-17
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(12) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (CONTINUED)
    The Company shares management, administrative and other services with Eagle
pursuant to a Corporate Services Agreement which renews annually in the absence
of termination by either party. The fee under this agreement is intended to
cover Eagle's expected costs in providing these services to the Company and is
reviewed annually. Total fees paid under this agreement were $2.4 million in
1994, $2.3 million in 1995 and $2.6 million in 1996. Prior to 1996, the Company
participated in an Eagle sponsored self-insurance program which included
coverage for medical, workers' compensation, product liability and general
liability insurance. The Company reimbursed Eagle for amounts paid on behalf of
the Company. Payments made either to Eagle or directly to the third party
administrator for Falcon's participation in these shared coverages totaled $12.0
million and $17.0 million in the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995,
respectively.
 
    Prior to the Offering, the Company was included in GAMI's consolidated
federal income tax returns. In addition, the Company filed certain combined
state tax returns with GAMI until the distribution to EHL in 1996. Pursuant to
the Tax Sharing Agreement, the Company paid GAMI $4.6 million in 1996 for tax
liabilities it incurred during the periods it was included in GAMI's federal and
certain combined state tax returns.
 
    The law firm of Rosenberg & Liebentritt, P.C., of which a Company Director
is a member, has rendered legal services to the Company. The Company paid this
law firm $0.4 million in 1995 and $0.1 million in 1996.
 
    Also see Notes 1, 5 and 8 for other information regarding related party
transactions.
 
(13) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
    The Company conducts manufacturing operations at various leased facilities
and also leases warehouses, manufacturing equipment, office space, computers and
office equipment. Most of the realty leases contain renewal options and
escalation clauses. Total rent expense, including related real estate taxes,
amounted to $3.6 million, $3.9 million and $4.7 million for the years ended
December 31, 1994, 1995, and 1996, respectively.
 
    Future minimum lease payments required as of December 31, 1996 (in
millions):
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                             <C>
1997..........................................................  $     1.5
1998..........................................................        1.1
1999..........................................................        0.8
2000..........................................................        0.8
2001 and thereafter...........................................        1.8
                                                                      ---
                                                                $     6.0
                                                                      ---
                                                                      ---
</TABLE>
 
    The Company and certain of its subsidiaries are involved in several lawsuits
and environmental matters arising in the ordinary course of business. However,
it is the opinion of the Company's management, based upon the advice of legal
counsel, that these lawsuits either are without merit, are covered by insurance,
or are adequately reserved for in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the
ultimate disposition of pending litigation will not be material in relation to
the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
                                      F-18
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(13) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)
    In addition to the matters covered by the preceding paragraph, in May 1994,
Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada ("ULC") suspended its recognition of high
temperature plastic venting systems for gas appliances, including the Ultravent
system manufactured by the Company. This action resulted from reports of
problems with high temperature plastic venting systems, including improper
installation, cracking, inadequate joint adhesion, and related safety hazards,
including potential for carbon monoxide emission. In June 1994, as a result of
the ULC action, the Ontario Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations
("MCCR") banned sales of these plastic venting systems in the Province of
Ontario. Other provinces of Canada have taken similar action. Pursuant to an
MCCR order, high temperature plastic venting systems in Ontario have been
corrected.
 
    The Company is a defendant in a suit that has been filed against 24 entities
representing heating appliance manufacturers, plastic vent manufacturers, public
utilities and listing agencies by the Ontario New Home Warranty Program, which
is responsible for the cost of replacing vent material in new home construction
in Ontario. This suit seeks damages of Cdn $125 million from all of the
defendants. Most gas appliance manufacturers in Canada and the United States no
longer certify these venting systems for use with their products. The Company is
also a defendant in a lawsuit filed by Goodman Manufacturing, an appliance
manufacturer that is replacing its own installations and has sued three
defendants for reimbursement of its costs. The Company has been named as a
defendant in a class action lawsuit which has been filed in the United States
regarding high temperature plastic venting.
 
    The Company is engaged in ongoing discussions with the United States
Consumer Product Safety Commission, ("CPSC") which has been advised of the ULC
action and the actions taken by the MCCR. The CPSC continues to investigate high
temperature plastic venting and has met with all of the manufacturers of high
temperature plastic vents, various appliance manufacturers and other entities
with technical expertise. CPSC concerns focus on the heating appliance system,
the plastic resin used to manufacture the venting, vent sealant compounds and
improper installation. While no definitive action has been decided upon, the
Company is aware that the CPSC is considering a corrective action program
involving plastic venting and it is probable that in the near term the CPSC will
mandate a corrective action program which would impact heating appliance
manufacturers, plastic resin manufacturers, and plastic venting manufacturers,
including the Company. Several appliance manufacturers have announced their
intention to replace plastic vent product with alternative systems which have
been approved by the CPSC. Company sales of Ultravent products in the United
States and Canada in 1995 and 1996 were minimal.
 
    While it is impossible at this time to give a firm estimate of the ultimate
cost to the Company, management currently believes that the after-tax cost to
the Company of resolving the Ultravent matter could range from a non-material
amount to $20.0 million, after considering reimbursements and insurance
recoveries. With respect to this matter, the Company has filed a lawsuit against
its insurance carriers. Although no assurances can be given, the Company
believes at this time that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not
have a material effect on the Company's financial condition, but may have a
material effect on future results of operations in the period recognized.
 
(14) BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
 
    The Company's current operations are in one industry segment, building and
construction related products, serving the residential and commercial
construction and home improvement markets. These
 
                                      F-19
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(14) BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (CONTINUED)
businesses are influenced primarily by housing starts, construction and
remodeling activity, and consumer spending.
 
    The Company's export sales are less than 10% of total revenues. Sales to
Sears, Roebuck and Co. accounted for 19.3%, 17.7% and 13.3% of total net sales
for the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively. The
Company's revenues and identifiable assets are predominantly related to its U.S.
operations and no one other geographic area accounts for more than 10% of total
revenue or 10% of total assets.
 
(15) SUBSEQUENT EVENT
 
    On March 20, 1997, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger
(the "Merger Agreement") with FBP Acquisition Corp. ("FBP"), a newly formed
corporation organized by INVESTCORP S.A. ("Investcorp"), certain of its
affiliates and other institutional investors. The Merger Agreement contemplated
that FBP would be merged with and into the Company and each outstanding share of
the Company's Class A Common Stock ("Class A Stock") would be converted into
either (i) $17.75 in cash, or (ii) the right to retain one share of Class A
Stock. On June 17, 1997, the Merger and the adoption of the Merger Agreement
were approved by the vote of a majority of the stockholders of the Class A Stock
and FBP was merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the
surviving corporation. At the consummation of the Merger, 19,014,258 of the then
issued and outstanding shares of Class A Stock were converted into cash and
1,034,017 shares were retained by existing stockholders. Approximately $337.5
million was paid to holders of Class A Stock who converted their shares and
approximately $5.2 million was paid to persons holding options to purchase
shares of Class A Stock. These and other related costs were funded by (i) $175.0
million of borrowings under a new bank credit facility, (ii) $145.0 million from
the offering of the 9 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007, (iii)
approximately $102.0 million of proceeds from the offering of the 10 1/2% Senior
Subordinated Discount Notes Due 2007 and (iv) an equity contribution by
Investcorp, its affiliates and certain other international investors of
approximately $134.6 million.
 
    The Company's payment obligations under the 9 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes
Due 2007 and the 10 1/2% Senior Subordinated Discount Notes Due 2007 are fully
and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis (collectively, the
"Guarantees") by DeVilbiss Air Power Company, Ex-Cell Manufacturing Company,
Inc., Hart & Cooley, Inc., Mansfield Plumbing Products, Inc. and SWC Industries,
Inc. (collectively, the "Guarantor Subsidiaries"). Each of the Guarantor
Subsidiaries is a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
These subsidiaries represent substantially all of the operations of the Company.
The remaining subsidiaries, Falcon Receivables Program, Inc. and Falcon
Manufacturing, Inc., represent a special purpose corporation formed in April
1996 for the Company's accounts receivable securitization program and an
intermediate holding company which owns all of the capital stock of DeVilbiss
Air Power Company, respectively. The obligations of each Guarantor Subsidiary
under its Guarantee are subordinated to such subsidiary's obligations under its
guarantee of the Company's new bank credit facility.
 
                                      F-20
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(15) SUBSEQUENT EVENT (CONTINUED)
 
    Presented below is condensed consolidating financial information for Falcon
Building Products, Inc. ("Parent Company"), the Guarantor Subsidiaries (together
with Falcon Manufacturing, Inc.) and Falcon Receivables Program, Inc. (the
"Non-Guarantor Subsidiary"). As the only asset of Falcon Manufacturing, Inc.,
which is not a Guarantor Subsidiary, is the stock of DeVilbiss Air Power
Company, a Guarantor Subsidiary, financial information regarding Falcon
Manufacturing, Inc. is included with that of the Guarantor Subsidiaries in this
presentation. In the Company's opinion, separate financial statements and other
disclosures concerning each of the Guarantor Subsidiaries would not provide
additional information that is material to investors. Therefore, the Guarantor
Subsidiaries are combined in the presentation below.
 
    Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for by the Company on the equity
method of accounting. Earnings of subsidiaries are, therefore, reflected in the
Company's investment in and advances to/from subsidiaries account and earnings.
The elimination entries eliminate investments in subsidiaries and intercompany
balances and transactions.
 
                                      F-21
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(15) SUBSEQUENT EVENT (CONTINUED)
               SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                 (IN MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              NON-
                                                   PARENT      GUARANTOR    GUARANTOR
                                                   COMPANY    SUBSIDIARIES SUBSIDIARY   ELIMINATIONS  CONSOLIDATED
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
<S>                                              <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>
 
                                                      ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents....................   $    (0.3)   $     1.4    $  --        $   --        $      1.1
  Accounts receivable..........................      --              5.1       --            --               5.1
  Inventories, net.............................      --             56.9       --            --              56.9
  Other current assets.........................         0.1          9.6       --            --               9.7
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
  Total current assets.........................        (0.2)        73.0       --            --              72.8
 
Property, plant and equipment, net.............      --             88.7       --            --              88.7
Goodwill.......................................      --             39.4       --            --              39.4
Investment in and advances to/from
  subsidiaries.................................       122.0          1.8       --            (123.8)       --
Other long-term assets.........................         6.0          3.9       --            --               9.9
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
  Total assets.................................   $   127.8    $   206.8    $  --        $   (123.8)   $    210.8
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
 
                                       LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Current portion long-term debt...............   $    12.5    $     0.2    $  --        $   --        $     12.7
  Accounts payable.............................      --             37.5       --            --              37.5
  Accrued liabilities..........................         0.4         26.8       --            --              27.2
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
  Total current liabilities....................        12.9         64.5       --            --              77.4
 
Long-term debt.................................       108.5          2.4       --            --             110.9
Other long-term liabilities....................         8.2         16.5       --            --              24.7
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
  Total liabilities............................       129.6         83.4       --            --             213.0
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
 
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
  Common Stock.................................         0.2       --           --            --               0.2
  Additional paid-in capital...................        18.0         42.9       --             (42.9)         18.0
  Retained earnings (deficit)..................       (17.2)        80.9       --             (80.9)        (17.2)
  Other........................................        (2.8)        (0.4)      --            --              (3.2)
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
  Total stockholders' equity (deficit).........        (1.8)       123.4       --            (123.8)         (2.2)
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity.....   $   127.8    $   206.8    $  --        $   (123.8)   $    210.8
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-22
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(15) SUBSEQUENT EVENT (CONTINUED)
               SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                 (IN MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              NON-
                                                   PARENT      GUARANTOR    GUARANTOR
                                                   COMPANY    SUBSIDIARIES SUBSIDIARY   ELIMINATIONS   CONSOLIDATED
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                              <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>
 
                                                       ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents....................   $     2.6    $     1.3    $  --         $  --          $     3.9
  Accounts receivable..........................      --           --           --            --             --
  Inventories, net.............................      --             76.2       --            --               76.2
  Other current assets.........................         0.6         13.1          1.9        --               15.6
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------       ------         ------
  Total current assets.........................         3.2         90.6          1.9        --               95.7
 
Property, plant and equipment, net.............      --             97.4       --            --               97.4
Goodwill.......................................      --             59.1       --            --               59.1
Investment in and advances to/from
  subsidiaries.................................       147.1        (97.5)         2.0         (51.6)        --
Other long-term assets.........................         5.5          3.8          0.2        --                9.5
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------       ------         ------
  Total assets.................................   $   155.8    $   153.4    $     4.1     $   (51.6)     $   261.7
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------       ------         ------
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------       ------         ------
 
                                        LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Current portion long-term debt...............   $    15.0    $     0.2    $  --         $  --          $    15.2
  Accounts payable.............................         4.8         45.2          0.1        --               50.1
  Accrued liabilities..........................        (1.9)        32.8       --            --               30.9
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------       ------         ------
  Total current liabilities....................        17.9         78.2          0.1        --               96.2
 
Long-term debt.................................       106.5          2.6       --            --              109.1
Other long-term liabilities....................         3.0         25.5       --            --               28.5
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------       ------         ------
  Total liabilities............................       127.4        106.3          0.1        --              233.8
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------       ------         ------
 
Stockholders' equity:
  Common Stock.................................         0.2       --           --            --                0.2
  Additional paid-in capital...................        18.0         42.9          5.0         (47.9)          18.0
  Retained earnings (deficit)..................        12.8          4.7         (1.0)         (3.7)          12.8
  Other........................................        (2.6)        (0.5)      --            --               (3.1)
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------       ------         ------
  Total stockholders' equity...................        28.4         47.1          4.0         (51.6)          27.9
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------       ------         ------
 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity.....   $   155.8    $   153.4    $     4.1     $   (51.6)     $   261.7
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------       ------         ------
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------       ------         ------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-23
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(15) SUBSEQUENT EVENT (CONTINUED)
 
            SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME
                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994
                                 (IN MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              NON-
                                                 PARENT      GUARANTOR      GUARANTOR
                                                 COMPANY    SUBSIDIARIES   SUBSIDIARY     ELIMINATIONS   CONSOLIDATED
                                               -----------  -----------  ---------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                            <C>          <C>          <C>              <C>            <C>
Net sales....................................   $  --        $   440.7      $  --           $  --          $   440.7
Cost of sales................................      --            344.9         --              --              344.9
                                               -----------  -----------        ------          ------         ------
  Gross earnings.............................      --             95.8         --              --               95.8
 
Selling and administrative expenses..........         3.7         38.5         --              --               42.2
Securitization expense.......................         1.9       --             --              --                1.9
                                               -----------  -----------        ------          ------         ------
  Operating income (loss)....................        (5.6)        57.3         --              --               51.7
 
Corporate allocation.........................       (21.0)        21.0         --              --             --
Net interest expense.........................         8.5         (0.2)        --              --                8.3
                                               -----------  -----------        ------          ------         ------
Income before income taxes...................         6.9         36.5         --              --               43.4
 
Provision for income taxes...................         3.2         14.3         --              --               17.5
                                               -----------  -----------        ------          ------         ------
Income before equity in income of
  consolidated subsidiaries..................         3.7         22.2         --              --               25.9
Equity in income of consolidated
  subsidiaries...............................        22.2       --             --               (22.2)        --
                                               -----------  -----------        ------          ------         ------
Net income...................................   $    25.9    $    22.2      $  --           $   (22.2)     $    25.9
                                               -----------  -----------        ------          ------         ------
                                               -----------  -----------        ------          ------         ------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-24
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(15) SUBSEQUENT EVENT (CONTINUED)
            SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME
                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                 (IN MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 PARENT      GUARANTOR    NON-GUARANTOR
                                                 COMPANY    SUBSIDIARIES   SUBSIDIARY     ELIMINATIONS   CONSOLIDATED
                                               -----------  -----------  ---------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                            <C>          <C>          <C>              <C>            <C>
Net sales....................................   $  --        $   471.3      $  --           $  --          $   471.3
Cost of sales................................      --            378.5         --              --              378.5
                                               -----------  -----------        ------          ------         ------
  Gross earnings.............................      --             92.8         --              --               92.8
Selling and administrative expenses..........         4.5         39.2         --              --               43.7
Securitization expense.......................         3.3       --             --              --                3.3
                                               -----------  -----------        ------          ------         ------
  Operating income (loss)....................        (7.8)        53.6         --              --               45.8
Corporate allocation.........................       (16.8)        16.8         --              --             --
Net interest expense.........................        10.7         (0.7)        --              --               10.0
                                               -----------  -----------        ------          ------         ------
Income (loss) before income taxes............        (1.7)        37.5         --              --               35.8
Provision (benefit) for income taxes.........        (0.9)        14.6         --              --               13.7
                                               -----------  -----------        ------          ------         ------
Income (loss) before equity in income of
  consolidated subsidiaries..................        (0.8)        22.9         --              --               22.1
Equity in income of consolidated
  subsidiaries...............................        22.9       --             --               (22.9)        --
                                               -----------  -----------        ------          ------         ------
Net income...................................   $    22.1    $    22.9      $  --           $   (22.9)     $    22.1
                                               -----------  -----------        ------          ------         ------
                                               -----------  -----------        ------          ------         ------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-25
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(15) SUBSEQUENT EVENT (CONTINUED)
 
            SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME
                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                 (IN MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 PARENT      GUARANTOR    NON-GUARANTOR
                                                 COMPANY    SUBSIDIARIES   SUBSIDIARY     ELIMINATIONS   CONSOLIDATED
                                               -----------  -----------  ---------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                            <C>          <C>          <C>              <C>            <C>
Net sales....................................   $  --        $   633.2      $  --           $  --          $   633.2
Cost of sales................................      --            513.6         --              --              513.6
                                               -----------  -----------        ------          ------         ------
  Gross earnings.............................      --            119.6         --              --              119.6
Selling and administrative expenses..........         5.6         50.1         --              --               55.7
Securitization expense.......................         4.3       --               (0.2)         --                4.1
                                               -----------  -----------        ------          ------         ------
  Operating income (loss)....................        (9.9)        69.5            0.2          --               59.8
Corporate allocation.........................       (20.4)        20.4         --              --             --
Net interest expense.........................         9.5          0.3            1.2          --               11.0
                                               -----------  -----------        ------          ------         ------
Income (loss) before income taxes............         1.0         48.8           (1.0)         --               48.8
Provision (benefit) for income taxes.........        (0.9)        19.7         --              --               18.8
                                               -----------  -----------        ------          ------         ------
Income (loss) before equity in income of
  consolidated subsidiaries..................         1.9         29.1           (1.0)         --               30.0
Equity in income of consolidated
  subsidiaries...............................        28.1       --             --               (28.1)        --
                                               -----------  -----------        ------          ------         ------
Net income (loss)............................   $    30.0    $    29.1      $    (1.0)      $   (28.1)     $    30.0
                                               -----------  -----------        ------          ------         ------
                                               -----------  -----------        ------          ------         ------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-26
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(15) SUBSEQUENT EVENT (CONTINUED)
 
          SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994
                                 (IN MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              NON-
                                                   PARENT      GUARANTOR    GUARANTOR
                                                   COMPANY    SUBSIDIARIES SUBSIDIARY   ELIMINATIONS  CONSOLIDATED
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
<S>                                              <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES...........   $     6.7    $   102.2    $  --        $   --        $    108.9
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Capital expenditures.........................      --            (19.7)      --            --             (19.7)
  Other........................................         2.5         (2.9)      --            --              (0.4)
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
  Net cash used in investing activities........         2.5        (22.6)      --            --             (20.1)
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Net proceeds from issuance of common stock...        63.3       --           --            --              63.3
  Proceeds from bank credit facility...........       115.0       --           --            --             115.0
  Advances (to) from affiliate.................      (193.3)       (70.4)      --            --            (263.7)
  Net repayments on debt.......................        (2.5)        (0.1)      --            --              (2.6)
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
  Net cash from financing activities...........       (17.5)       (70.5)      --            --             (88.0)
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS............        (8.3)         9.1       --            --               0.8
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF
  PERIOD.......................................         9.9         (8.5)      --            --               1.4
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD.......   $     1.6    $     0.6    $  --        $   --        $      2.2
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-27
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(15) SUBSEQUENT EVENT (CONTINUED)
 
          SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                 (IN MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 NON-
                                                   PARENT       GUARANTOR      GUARANTOR
                                                   COMPANY    SUBSIDIARIES    SUBSIDIARY    ELIMINATIONS   CONSOLIDATED
                                                 -----------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                              <C>          <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES...........   $     4.6     $    14.8      $  --          $  --          $    19.4
                                                 -----------       ------         ------         ------         ------
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Purchase of businesses.......................      --             (10.4)        --             --              (10.4)
  Capital expenditures.........................      --             (16.4)        --             --              (16.4)
  Other........................................        (0.9)         (1.3)        --             --               (2.2)
                                                 -----------       ------         ------         ------         ------
  Net cash used in investing activities........        (0.9)        (28.1)        --             --              (29.0)
                                                 -----------       ------         ------         ------         ------
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Advances (to) from affiliate.................       (14.1)         14.1         --             --             --
  Net borrowings on debt.......................         8.5        --             --             --                8.5
                                                 -----------       ------         ------         ------         ------
  Net cash from financing activities...........        (5.6)         14.1         --             --                8.5
                                                 -----------       ------         ------         ------         ------
 
CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS............        (1.9)          0.8         --             --               (1.1)
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF
  PERIOD.......................................         1.6           0.6         --             --                2.2
                                                 -----------       ------         ------         ------         ------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD.......   $    (0.3)    $     1.4      $  --          $  --          $     1.1
                                                 -----------       ------         ------         ------         ------
                                                 -----------       ------         ------         ------         ------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-28
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(15) SUBSEQUENT EVENT (CONTINUED)
 
          SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                 (IN MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 NON-
                                                   PARENT       GUARANTOR      GUARANTOR
                                                   COMPANY    SUBSIDIARIES    SUBSIDIARY    ELIMINATIONS   CONSOLIDATED
                                                 -----------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                              <C>          <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES...........   $    11.5     $     6.6      $    23.0      $  --          $    41.1
                                                 -----------       ------         ------         ------         ------
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Purchase of businesses.......................      --             (18.8)        --             --              (18.8)
  Capital expenditures.........................      --             (20.0)        --             --              (20.0)
  Other........................................         0.5          (0.1)          (0.2)        --                0.2
                                                 -----------       ------         ------         ------         ------
  Net cash used in investing activities........         0.5         (38.9)          (0.2)        --              (38.6)
                                                 -----------       ------         ------         ------         ------
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Advances (to) from affiliate.................        (9.6)         32.4          (22.8)        --             --
  Net borrowings on debt.......................         0.5          (0.2)        --             --                0.3
                                                 -----------       ------         ------         ------         ------
  Net cash from financing activities...........        (9.1)         32.2          (22.8)        --                0.3
                                                 -----------       ------         ------         ------         ------
 
CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS............         2.9          (0.1)        --             --                2.8
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF
  PERIOD.......................................        (0.3)          1.4         --             --                1.1
                                                 -----------       ------         ------         ------         ------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD.......   $     2.6     $     1.3      $  --          $  --          $     3.9
                                                 -----------       ------         ------         ------         ------
                                                 -----------       ------         ------         ------         ------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-29
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                          SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL DATA
                      (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
 
    The following is a summary of the unaudited interim results of operations
for December 31, 1995 and 1996.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             QUARTER ENDED MARCH    QUARTER ENDED JUNE      QUARTER ENDED         QUARTER ENDED
                                                     31,                   30,              SEPTEMBER 30,          DECEMBER 31,
                                             --------------------  --------------------  --------------------  --------------------
                                               1995       1996       1995       1996       1995       1996       1995       1996
                                             ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                          <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Net sales..................................  $   112.9  $   144.4  $   116.6  $   168.4  $   120.0  $   162.7  $   121.8  $   157.7
Gross earnings.............................       24.3       26.8       24.5       32.2       21.1       30.6       22.9       30.0
Net income.................................        6.1        5.4        6.0        8.1        4.4        8.0        5.6        8.5
 
Earnings per common share:
  Net income...............................  $    0.31  $    0.27  $    0.30  $    0.40  $    0.22  $    0.40  $    0.28  $    0.42
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-30
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
                             (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                            1996
                                                                                        ------------   JUNE 30,
                                                                                                         1997
                                                                                                      -----------
                                                                                                      (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                                                     <C>           <C>
 
                                                     ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents...........................................................   $      3.9    $    41.7
  Accounts receivable.................................................................           --           --
  Inventories, net....................................................................         76.2         93.5
  Other current assets................................................................         15.6         35.1
                                                                                        ------------  -----------
  Total current assets................................................................         95.7        170.3
 
Property, plant and equipment, net....................................................         97.4         96.7
Goodwill..............................................................................         59.1         58.0
Other long-term assets................................................................          9.5         32.9
                                                                                        ------------  -----------
  Total assets........................................................................   $    261.7    $   357.9
                                                                                        ------------  -----------
                                                                                        ------------  -----------
 
                                      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
Current liabilities:
  Current portion long-term debt......................................................   $     15.2    $     1.2
  Accounts payable....................................................................         50.1         58.0
  Accrued liabilities.................................................................         30.9         34.3
                                                                                        ------------  -----------
  Total current liabilities...........................................................         96.2         93.5
 
Senior indebtedness...................................................................        109.1        176.5
Senior subordinated notes.............................................................           --        247.4
Accrued employee benefit obligations..................................................          8.7          9.3
Other long-term liabilities...........................................................         19.8         19.7
                                                                                        ------------  -----------
  Total liabilities...................................................................        233.8        546.4
                                                                                        ------------  -----------
 
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
  Preferred stock.....................................................................           --           --
  Class A Common Stock................................................................          0.2           --
  Class B Common Stock................................................................           --          0.1
  Class C Common Stock................................................................           --           --
  Class D Common Stock................................................................           --           --
  Common Stock........................................................................           --           --
  Additional paid-in capital..........................................................         18.0           --
  Retained earnings (deficit).........................................................         12.8       (186.1)
  Pension liability adjustment........................................................         (0.5)        (0.5)
  Unearned compensation...............................................................         (0.4)          --
  Notes receivable arising from stock purchase plan...................................         (2.2)        (2.0)
                                                                                        ------------  -----------
  Total stockholders' equity (deficit)................................................         27.9       (188.5)
                                                                                        ------------  -----------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity............................................   $    261.7    $   357.9
                                                                                        ------------  -----------
                                                                                        ------------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
                             financial statements.
 
                                      F-31
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
                  (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30,      SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
                                                      ----------------------------  ----------------------------
                                                          1996           1997           1996           1997
                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                                   <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Net sales...........................................  $       168.4  $       195.7  $       312.7  $       355.9
Cost of sales.......................................          136.2          158.9          253.8          290.9
                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
  Gross earnings....................................           32.2           36.8           58.9           65.0
 
Selling and administrative expenses.................           15.2           15.4           29.5           29.9
Securitization expense..............................            1.0            1.2            1.9            2.1
Recapitalization expenses...........................             --           36.3             --           36.3
                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
  Operating income (loss)...........................           16.0          (16.1)          27.5           (3.3)
 
Net interest expense................................            2.8            4.0            5.5            6.8
                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Income (loss) before income taxes...................           13.2          (20.1)          22.0          (10.1)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes................            5.1           (1.7)           8.5            2.2
                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Income (loss) before extraordinary item.............            8.1          (18.4)          13.5          (12.3)
Extraordinary item:
  Early extinguishment of debt, net of income tax
    benefit of $0.9 million.........................             --           (1.5)            --           (1.5)
                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Net income (loss)...................................  $         8.1  $       (19.9) $        13.5  $       (13.8)
                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Earnings (loss) per common share:
  Income (loss) before extraordinary item...........  $        0.40  $       (1.00) $        0.67  $       (0.64)
  Extraordinary item................................             --          (0.08)            --          (0.08)
                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
  Net income (loss).................................  $        0.40  $       (1.08) $        0.67  $       (0.72)
                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Weighted average shares outstanding.................     20,070,500     18,415,211     20,070,500     19,227,600
                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
                             financial statements.
 
                                      F-32
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                             (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
 
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                                    JUNE 30,
                                                                                              --------------------
                                                                                                1996       1997
                                                                                              ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                                           <C>        <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net income (loss).........................................................................  $    13.5  $   (13.8)
  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash from operations:
    Depreciation and amortization...........................................................        8.2        8.2
    Accretion of debt discount on subordinated debt.........................................         --        0.4
    Recapitalization expenses...............................................................         --       36.3
    Early extinguishment of debt............................................................         --        1.5
    Cash effect of changes in other working capital balances, accrued employee benefit
      obligations, and other long-term liabilities, excluding the effects of acquisitions...      (11.9)     (32.5)
                                                                                              ---------  ---------
    Net cash from operating activities......................................................        9.8        0.1
                                                                                              ---------  ---------
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Purchase of businesses....................................................................      (18.8)        --
  Capital expenditures......................................................................       (8.6)      (6.5)
  Other.....................................................................................       (1.1)      (1.2)
                                                                                              ---------  ---------
    Net cash used in investing activities...................................................      (28.5)      (7.7)
                                                                                              ---------  ---------
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Proceeds from senior credit facilities....................................................         --      175.0
  Repayment of senior credit facilities.....................................................         --     (138.8)
  Issuance of senior subordinated debt......................................................         --      247.0
  Issuance of common stock..................................................................         --      134.6
  Retirement of common stock................................................................         --     (337.5)
  Payment of Recapitalization fees and expenses.............................................         --      (52.0)
  Net borrowings on debt....................................................................       21.9       17.1
                                                                                              ---------  ---------
    Net cash from financing activities......................................................       21.9       45.4
                                                                                              ---------  ---------
CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS.........................................................        3.2       37.8
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD..............................................        1.1        3.9
                                                                                              ---------  ---------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD....................................................  $     4.3  $    41.7
                                                                                              ---------  ---------
                                                                                              ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
                             financial statements.
 
                                      F-33
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
              NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                                 JUNE 30, 1997
 
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
(1) SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
    BASIS OF PRESENTATION:
 
    The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of
Falcon Building Products, Inc. ("Falcon" or the "Company"), have been prepared
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim
financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information
and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for a
complete set of financial statements. In the opinion of management, all
adjustments considered necessary, consisting only of normal recurring
adjustments (except for the effects of the recapitalization transaction
described below), are included for fair presentation. Operating results for the
quarter and six months ended June 30, 1997 are not necessarily indicative of
results that may be expected for the full year. The unaudited Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited
Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company for the year ended December 31,
1996.
 
    On June 17, 1997 the Company completed a merger transaction (the "Merger"
and together with the financings described below the "Recapitalization") with
FBP Acquisition Corp. ("FBP"), a newly formed corporation organized on behalf of
INVESTCORP S.A. ("Investcorp"), certain affiliates of Investcorp and other
international investors, whereby FBP was merged with and into Falcon, with
Falcon as the surviving corporation. The Merger resulted in Investcorp, its
affiliates and certain other international investors owning approximately 88% of
the capital stock of the Company. The Merger was accounted for as a
recapitalization and as such, the historical basis of the assets and liabilities
of the Company were not affected. See Notes 4 and 5 for further discussion of
the transaction and the financial arrangements entered into in order to
consummate the Recapitalization.
 
    Certain amounts in the Company's historical financial statements have been
reclassified to be consistent with the presentation in the current period.
 
(2) INVENTORIES
 
    Inventory consists of the following (in millions):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     DECEMBER 31,
                                                                         1996
                                                                    ---------------    JUNE 30,
                                                                                         1997
                                                                                     -------------
                                                                                      (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                                 <C>              <C>
Raw materials and supplies........................................     $    30.9       $    37.6
Work in process...................................................          12.7            12.5
Finished goods....................................................          32.6            43.4
                                                                           -----           -----
                                                                       $    76.2       $    93.5
                                                                           -----           -----
                                                                           -----           -----
</TABLE>
 
(3) ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
 
    In connection with the Recapitalization, the Company amended its existing
receivables securitization program to increase the maximum availability from $85
million to $100 million and to extend the program until 2002.
 
                                      F-34
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
        NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                                 JUNE 30, 1997
 
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
(4) RECAPITALIZATION
 
    On March 20, 1997, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger
(the "Merger Agreement") with FBP. The Merger Agreement contemplated that FBP
would be merged with and into Falcon and each outstanding share of the Company's
Class A Common Stock ("Class A Stock") would be converted into either (i) $17.75
in cash (the "Cash Price"), or (ii) the right to retain one share of Class A
Stock. On June 17, 1997, the Merger and the adoption of the Merger Agreement
were approved by the vote of a majority of the stockholders of the Class A Stock
and FBP was merged with and into Falcon, with Falcon continuing as the surviving
corporation. At the consummation of the Merger, 19,014,258 of the then issued
and outstanding shares of Class A Stock were converted into cash and 1,034,017
shares were retained by existing stockholders. In addition, each person who,
immediately prior to the consummation of the Recapitalization, held an option to
purchase shares of the Class A Stock received a cash payment equal to the
product of (i) the difference between the Cash Price and the option exercise
price multiplied by (ii) the number of options held by such person.
Approximately $337.5 million was paid to holders of Class A Stock who converted
their shares and approximately $5.2 million was paid to persons holding options
to purchase shares of Class A Stock.
 
    Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the certificate of incorporation of FBP
became the certificate of incorporation of the Company (the "Restated
Certificate of Incorporation") upon the effective date of the Merger. The
Restated Certificate of Incorporation authorizes five classes of common stock.
Each issued and outstanding share of capital stock of FBP was converted into a
share of capital stock of Falcon upon the consummation of the Recapitalization.
 
    The following table summarizes the capital stock of the Company at June 30,
1997:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                SHARES OUTSTANDING
TITLE                                                                        AUTHORIZED SHARES   AT JUNE 30, 1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------  ------------------
<S>                                                                          <C>                <C>
Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share............................        1,034,020          1,034,017
Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share............................        6,900,000          6,721,537
Class C Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share............................        2,048,980            844,273
Class D Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share............................           17,000             17,000
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share....................................       10,000,000                  0
                                                                             -----------------  ------------------
  Total....................................................................       20,000,000          8,616,827
                                                                             -----------------  ------------------
                                                                             -----------------  ------------------
</TABLE>
 
    Holders of the Class A Stock are entitled to one vote per share and holders
of Class D Common Stock are entitled to 446 votes for each share of such stock
held. Upon the occurrence of a sale of 100% of the outstanding equity securities
of Falcon or a public offering of any equity securities of Falcon, each share of
Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D Common Stock of the Company will convert
into one share of Common Stock of the Company. The Restated Certificate of
Incorporation no longer authorizes shares of preferred stock.
 
    The Recapitalization was funded by (i) $175.0 million of borrowings under
the Bank Credit Facility (as defined), (ii) $145.0 million from the offering of
the Notes (as defined), (iii) approximately $102.0 million of proceeds from the
offering of the Discount Notes (as defined) and (iv) an equity contribution by
Investcorp, its affiliates and certain other international investors of
approximately $134.6 million. The proceeds from these financings will fund: the
payment of approximately $337.5 million to holders of Class A Stock who
converted their shares; the payment of approximately $5.2 million to option
holders; the
 
                                      F-35
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
        NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                                 JUNE 30, 1997
 
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
(4) RECAPITALIZATION (CONTINUED)
repayment of approximately $138.8 million of outstanding indebtedness under the
then existing credit facility; and the payment of approximately $58.5 million of
fees and expenses associated with the Recapitalization.
 
    The transaction was accounted for as a recapitalization and as such, the
historical basis of the Company's assets and liabilities was not affected.
Approximately $27.4 million of costs primarily representing financing fees were
capitalized while approximately $36.3 million of costs were expensed and are
reflected as a component of operating income in the Company's Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Income. The expensed costs represent investment
banker fees, Investcorp merger and acquisition fees, legal and accounting fees,
transaction bonuses, payments to option holders and other miscellaneous costs
incurred in connection with the Recapitalization. In addition, the Company
recorded an extraordinary charge of $1.5 million, net of a $0.9 million income
tax benefit, in connection with the repayment of its existing credit facility.
 
(5) DEBT
 
    As part of the Recapitalization, the Company entered into a new senior
credit facility with a group of banks (the "Bank Credit Facility"), and pursuant
to indentures dated June 17, 1997 (the "Indentures"), issued $145 million of
9 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes (the "Notes") and $170 million aggregate
principal amount of 10 1/2% Senior Subordinated Discount Notes (the "Discount
Notes" and together with the Notes, the "Securities"). Each of the Company's
subsidiaries, except the special purpose vehicle ("Securitization SPV") which is
utilized to sell the accounts receivable in the Company's receivables
securitization program, have guaranteed the Bank Credit Facility and the
Securities, such guarantee of the Securities being subordinate to the guarantee
of the Bank Credit Facility. The Securities were sold through a confidential
placement memorandum, however, the Company has agreed to file an exchange offer
registration statement or under certain circumstances a shelf registration with
respect to the Securities. The proceeds from the Bank Credit Facility and the
Securities were used to finance the conversion to cash of the Class A Common
Stock, to repay the then outstanding senior credit facility and to pay the fees
and expenses associated with the Recapitalization.
 
    SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES:
 
    9 1/2% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES:
 
    The Company's $145 million of Notes mature on June 15, 2007. Interest on the
Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 commencing
on December 15, 1997. The Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company
ranking subordinate in right of payment to all existing and future senior
indebtedness of the Company. The Notes will rank PARI PASSU in right of payment
with all other indebtedness of the Company that is subordinated to senior
indebtedness of the Company.
 
    The Notes are not redeemable at the Company's option prior to June 15, 2002.
The Notes are redeemable at the Company's option at 104.750% during the 12
months beginning June 15, 2002, 103.167% during the 12 months beginning June 15,
2003, 101.583% during the 12 months beginning June 15, 2004 and at 100%
thereafter (expressed as a percentage of principal amount). In addition, prior
to
 
                                      F-36
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
        NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                                 JUNE 30, 1997
 
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
(5) DEBT (CONTINUED)
June 15, 2002, up to 35% of the Notes may be redeemed at 109.5% of the principal
amount out of the proceeds of certain equity offerings.
 
    10 1/2% SENIOR SUBORDINATED DISCOUNT NOTES:
 
    The $170 million aggregate principal amount of Discount Notes mature on June
15, 2007. The issue price of each Discount Note was $599.82 per $1,000 principal
amount at maturity, which represents a yield to June 15, 2002 of 10.5% per
annum. Cash interest will not accrue on the Discount Notes prior to June 15,
2002. Cash interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December
15 of each year at a rate of 10.5% per annum commencing December 15, 2002. The
Discount Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company ranking
subordinate in right of payment to all existing and future senior indebtedness
of the Company. The Discount Notes will rank PARI PASSU in right of payment with
all other indebtedness of the Company that is subordinated to senior
indebtedness of the Company.
 
    The Discount Notes are not redeemable at the Company's option prior to June
15, 2002. The Discount Notes are redeemable at the Company's option at 105.25%
during the 12 months beginning June 15, 2002, 103.50% during the 12 months
beginning June 15, 2003, 101.75% during the 12 months beginning June 15, 2004
and at 100% thereafter (expressed as a percentage of principal amount). In
addition, prior to June 15, 2000, up to 35% of the Discount Notes may be
redeemed out of the proceeds of certain equity offerings at 110.5% of the
accreted value.
 
    Upon a Change of Control (as defined in the Indentures) the Company has the
option prior to June 15, 2002 to redeem the Notes and/or the Discount Notes in
whole, but not in part, at 100% of the principal amount of the Notes or 100% of
the accreted value of the Discount Notes plus an applicable premium in each
case, as defined in the Indentures. If the Company does not redeem the
Securities or if the Change in Control occurs subsequent to June 15, 2002, each
holder of the Securities may require the Company to repurchase such holders'
Securities at 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes plus accrued
interest, if any, and 101% of the accreted value of the Discount Notes plus
accrued interest, if any.
 
    The Indentures contain restrictive covenants, which among other things limit
the Company's ability to incur additional indebtedness; pay dividends or make
other restricted payments; enter into transactions with affiliates; make certain
asset dispositions; and merge or consolidate with or transfer substantially all
of its assets to another person.
 
                                      F-37
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
        NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                                 JUNE 30, 1997
 
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
(5) DEBT (CONTINUED)
    SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    DECEMBER 31,
                                                                        1996
                                                                    ------------
                                                                                   JUNE 30,
                                                                                     1997
                                                                                  -----------
                                                                                  (UNAUDITED)
                                                                          (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                                 <C>           <C>
Bank Credit Facility
  Revolver........................................................   $     39.0    $      --
  Term............................................................         82.5        175.0
                                                                    ------------  -----------
  Total...........................................................        121.5        175.0
Other.............................................................          2.8          2.7
Less:
  Current Portion.................................................        (15.2)        (1.2)
                                                                    ------------  -----------
  Long-term debt..................................................   $    109.1    $   176.5
                                                                    ------------  -----------
                                                                    ------------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
    BANK CREDIT FACILITY:
 
    On June 17, 1997, using a portion of the proceeds from the Recapitalization,
the Company repaid and terminated its then existing senior credit facility. An
extraordinary charge of $1.5 million, net of an income tax benefit of $0.9
million was recorded in connection with this repayment, representing primarily
the write-off of associated deferred debt issuance costs.
 
    The Bank Credit Facility entered into on June 17, 1997, consists of a $175
million term loan facility which matures in June 2005 and a $125 million
revolving credit facility which matures in June 2003. The term loan was drawn in
full as part of the Recapitalization and is due in semi-annual installments of
$0.5 million from December 1997 through June 2002, quarterly installments of
$9.5 million from December 2002 through September 2003, quarterly installments
of $15.0 million from December 2003 through September 2004, installments of
$18.0 million in December 2004 and March 2005 and a final payment at maturity of
$36.0 million in June 2005. No amounts have been drawn under the revolving
portion of the Bank Credit Facility.
 
    Borrowings under the Bank Credit Facility bear interest at alternative
floating rate structures at management's option (8.7% for the term loan at June
30, 1997) and are collateralized by all the capital stock of each of the
Company's subsidiaries and substantially all of the inventory and property,
plant and equipment of the Company and its subsidiaries other than the
Securitization SPV. The Bank Credit Facility requires an annual commitment fee
of 0.5% on the average daily unused amount of the revolving portion of the Bank
Credit Facility.
 
    The Bank Credit Facility contains various restrictive covenants including
restrictions on additional indebtedness, mergers, asset dispositions, dividends
and other restricted payments and prepayment and amendments of subordinated
indebtedness.
 
                                      F-38
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
        NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                                 JUNE 30, 1997
 
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
(6) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
    In May 1994, Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada ("ULC") suspended its
recognition of high temperature plastic venting ("HTPV") for gas appliances
systems, including the Ultravent-Registered Trademark- product distributed by
the Company. This action resulted from reports of problems with high temperature
plastic venting, including improper installation, cracking, inadequate joint
adhesion, and related safety hazards, including potential for carbon monoxide
emission. In June 1994, as a result of the ULC action, the Ontario Ministry of
Consumer and Commercial Relations ("MCCR") suspended sales of HTPV in the
Province of Ontario. Other provinces of Canada have taken similar action.
Pursuant to an MCCR order, appliance systems in Ontario with HTPV have been
corrected. Most gas appliance manufacturers in Canada and the United States no
longer certify HTPV for use with their products. As a result, the Company
discontinued sales of its HTPV product in 1997. Company sales of
Ultravent-Registered Trademark- products in the United States and Canada in 1995
and 1996 were minimal.
 
    The Company is a defendant in a suit in Canada that has been filed against
24 entities representing heating appliance manufacturers, plastic vent
manufacturers and distributors, public utilities and listing agencies brought by
the Ontario New Home Warranty Program, which is responsible for the cost of
correcting appliances equipped with HTPV in new home construction in Ontario.
This suit seeks damages of Cdn $125 million from all of the defendants. The
Company is also a defendant in two cases brought by appliance manufacturers. In
a lawsuit filed by Goodman Manufacturing Company ("Goodman") in Texas, the
Company has been sued along with two other defendants for reimbursement of costs
associated with its corrective action program. In the other lawsuit, the Company
and two other defendants have been sued in Massachusetts by seven furnace
manufacturers which are seeking damages and declaratory relief for costs
expected to be incurred as a result of corrective action programs to be
conducted in connection with furnace systems vented with HTPV. The Company has
filed and served its own legal action in Michigan against Goodman, the seven
furnace manufacturers that have filed suit against the Company in Massachusetts,
and all other identifiable appliance manufacturers that certified HTPV for use
with their appliance systems. In that suit, the Company is seeking damages for
costs it has incurred and declaratory relief for costs that may be incurred in
the future as a result of the conduct of appliance manufacturers that certified
their products for use with HTPV. The Company has also been named in a class
action lawsuit which has been filed in Tennessee regarding HTPV. In that case,
the Company is a defendant along with its principal competitor in the HTPV
business, a resin supplier and a furnace manufacturer that has been joined as a
representative of a defendant class consisting of all appliance manufacturers.
The plaintiffs seek damages on behalf of all persons in the United States with
appliance systems that are vented with HTPV.
 
    With respect to these matters, the Company, on September 16, 1996, filed an
action in state court in Illinois against certain insurance carriers. The
Company is seeking a declaratory judgment, damages for breach of contract and
specific relief requiring the insurance carriers, pursuant to the terms of the
Company's insurance policies, to defend and reimburse the Company for costs and
legal expenses arising from Ultravent-related claims. The amount at issue cannot
be determined at this time. The insurance carriers have denied coverage on a
number of grounds, including (i) that there has been no property damage, bodily
injury or occurrence, as those terms are defined in the insurance policies, (ii)
that various exclusions in the insurance policies apply with respect to damage
to the Company's own products, the failure of its products to perform, and
product recalls, (iii) that the Company knew or should have known of the
existence of alleged problems with Ultravent and (iv) that other insurance which
should be called on
 
                                      F-39
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
        NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                                 JUNE 30, 1997
 
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
(6) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)
prior to the policies of these insurers is available. The insurance carriers
have filed motions to dismiss the Company's lawsuit.
 
    The Company is engaged in ongoing discussions with the Consumer Product
Safety Commission ("CPSC") which has been advised of the ULC action and the
actions taken by the MCCR. The CPSC continues to investigate HTPV and has met
with manufacturers of HTPV, various appliance manufacturers and other entities
with technical expertise. CPSC concerns focus on the heating appliance system,
the plastic resin used to manufacture the venting, and improper installation.
While no definitive action has been decided upon, the Company is aware that the
CPSC is considering a corrective action program involving HTPV, that would
impact heating appliance manufacturers, plastic resin manufacturers, and HTPV
manufacturers and distributors, including the Company. However, certain
appliance manufacturers, the plastic resin manufacturer and the HTPV
manufacturers, including the Company, are currently participating in a
non-binding facilitative mediation process which seeks to develop and implement
a voluntary HTPV corrective action program. The CPSC has indicated that it will
delay initiating proceedings mandating a corrective action program while these
parties are involved in this mediation process. It is not possible at this time
to predict the outcome of the mediation.
 
    While it is impossible at this time to give a firm estimate of the ultimate
cost to the Company, management continues to believe that the after-tax cost to
the Company of resolving the Ultravent-Registered Trademark- matter would range
from a non-material amount to $20.0 million, after considering reimbursements
and insurance recoveries. Although no assurances can be given, the Company
believes at this time that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not
have a material effect on the Company's financial condition, but may have a
material effect on future results of operations in the period recognized.
 
(7) GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES
 
    The Company's payment obligations under the Senior Subordinated Notes and
the Senior Subordinated Discount Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed
on a joint and several basis (collectively, the "Guarantees") by DeVilbiss Air
Power Company, Ex-Cell Manufacturing Company, Inc., Hart & Cooley, Inc.,
Mansfield Plumbing Products, Inc. and SWC Industries, Inc. (collectively, the
"Guarantor Subsidiaries"). Each of the Guarantor Subsidiaries is a direct or
indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. These subsidiaries represent
substantially all of the operations of the Company. The remaining subsidiaries,
Falcon Receivables Program, Inc. and Falcon Manufacturing, Inc., represent a
special purpose corporation formed in April 1996 for the Company's accounts
receivable securitization program and an intermediate holding company which owns
all of the capital stock of DeVilbiss Air Power Company, respectively. The
obligations of each Guarantor Subsidiary under its Guarantee are subordinated to
such subsidiary's obligations under its guarantee of the Bank Credit Facility.
 
    Presented below is condensed consolidating financial information for Falcon
Building Products, Inc. ("Parent Company"), the Guarantor Subsidiaries (together
with Falcon Manufacturing, Inc.) and Falcon Receivables Program, Inc. (the
"Non-Guarantor Subsidiary"). As the only asset of Falcon Manufacturing, Inc.,
which is not a Guarantor Subsidiary, is the stock of DeVilbiss Air Power
Company, a Guarantor Subsidiary, financial information regarding Falcon
Manufacturing, Inc. is included with that of the Guarantor Subsidiaries in this
presentation. In the Company's opinion, separate financial statements and other
disclosures concerning each of the Guarantor Subsidiaries would not provide
additional
 
                                      F-40
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
        NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                                 JUNE 30, 1997
 
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
(7) GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES (CONTINUED)
 
information that is material to investors. Therefore, the Guarantor Subsidiaries
are combined in the presentation below.
 
    Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for by the Parent Company on the
equity method of accounting. Earnings of subsidiaries are, therefore, reflected
in the Parent Company's investments in and advances to/from subsidiaries account
and earnings. The elimination entries eliminate investments in subsidiaries and
intercompany balances and transactions.
 
                                      F-41
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
        NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                                 JUNE 30, 1997
 
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
(7) GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES (CONTINUED)
               SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                 (IN MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              NON-
                                                   PARENT      GUARANTOR    GUARANTOR
                                                   COMPANY    SUBSIDIARIES SUBSIDIARY   ELIMINATIONS  CONSOLIDATED
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
<S>                                              <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>
 
                                                      ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents....................   $     2.6    $     1.3    $  --        $   --        $      3.9
  Accounts receivable..........................      --           --           --            --            --
  Inventories, net.............................      --             76.2       --            --              76.2
  Other current assets.........................         0.6         13.1          1.9        --              15.6
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
  Total current assets.........................         3.2         90.6          1.9        --              95.7
 
Property, plant and equipment, net.............      --             97.4       --            --              97.4
Goodwill.......................................      --             59.1       --            --              59.1
Investment in and advances to/from
  subsidiaries.................................        51.6        (97.5)         2.0         (51.6)       --
Other long-term assets.........................         5.5          3.8          0.2        --               9.5
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
  Total assets.................................   $   155.8    $   153.4    $     4.1    $    (51.6)   $    261.7
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
 
                                       LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Current portion long-term debt...............   $    15.0    $     0.2    $  --        $   --        $     15.2
  Accounts payable.............................         4.8         45.2          0.1        --              50.1
  Accrued liabilities..........................        (1.9)        32.8       --            --              30.9
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
  Total current liabilities....................        17.9         78.2          0.1        --              96.2
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
Senior indebtedness............................       106.5          2.6       --            --             109.1
Senior subordinated notes......................      --           --           --            --            --
Other long-term liabilities....................         3.0         29.5       --            --              28.5
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
  Total liabilities............................       127.4        106.3          0.1        --             233.8
 
Stockholders' equity:
  Common Stock.................................         0.2       --           --            --               0.2
  Additional paid-in capital...................        18.0         42.9          5.0         (47.9)         18.0
  Retained earnings (deficit)..................        12.8          4.7         (1.0)         (3.7)         12.8
  Other........................................        (2.6)        (0.5)      --            --              (3.1)
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
  Total stockholders' equity...................        28.4         47.1          4.0         (51.6)         27.9
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity.....   $   155.8    $   153.4    $     4.1    $    (51.6)   $    261.7
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-42
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
        NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                                 JUNE 30, 1997
 
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
(7) GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES (CONTINUED)
               SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
                                 JUNE 30, 1997
                                 (IN MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              NON-
                                                   PARENT      GUARANTOR    GUARANTOR
                                                   COMPANY    SUBSIDIARIES SUBSIDIARY   ELIMINATIONS  CONSOLIDATED
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
<S>                                              <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>
 
                                                      ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents....................   $    39.8    $     1.4    $     0.5    $   --        $     41.7
  Accounts receivable..........................      --           --           --            --            --
  Inventories, net.............................      --             93.5       --            --              93.5
  Other current assets.........................         2.2         13.3         19.6        --              35.1
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
  Total current assets.........................        42.0        108.2         20.1        --             170.3
 
Property, plant and equipment, net.............      --             96.7       --            --              96.7
Goodwill.......................................      --             58.0       --            --              58.0
Investment in and advances to/from
  subsidiaries.................................       154.7        (64.3)       (14.5)        (75.9)       --
Other long-term assets.........................        29.4          3.5       --            --              32.9
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
  Total assets.................................   $   226.1    $   202.1    $     5.6    $    (75.9)   $    357.9
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
 
                                       LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Current portion long-term debt...............   $     1.0    $     0.2    $  --        $   --        $      1.2
  Accounts payable.............................         0.3         57.7       --            --              58.0
  Accrued liabilities..........................       (11.3)        45.6       --            --              34.3
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
  Total current liabilities....................       (10.0)       103.5       --            --              93.5
 
Senior indebtedness............................       174.0          2.5       --            --             176.5
Senior subordinated notes......................       247.4       --           --            --             247.4
Other long-term liabilities....................         2.7         26.3       --            --              29.0
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
  Total liabilities............................       414.1        132.3       --            --             546.4
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
 
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
  Common Stock.................................         0.1       --           --            --               0.1
  Additional paid-in capital...................      --             42.9          6.5         (49.4)       --
  Retained earnings (deficit)..................      (186.1)        27.4         (0.9)        (26.5)       (186.1)
  Other........................................        (2.0)        (0.5)      --            --              (2.5)
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
  Total stockholders' equity (deficit).........      (188.0)        69.8          5.6         (75.9)       (188.5)
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity.....   $   226.1    $   202.1    $     5.6    $    (75.9)   $    357.9
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-43
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
        NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                                 JUNE 30, 1997
 
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
(7) GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES (CONTINUED)
 
            SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME
                         SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
                                 (IN MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    NON-
                                                         PARENT      GUARANTOR    GUARANTOR
                                                         COMPANY    SUBSIDIARIES SUBSIDIARY   ELIMINATIONS   CONSOLIDATED
                                                       -----------  -----------  -----------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                                    <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>
Net sales............................................   $  --        $   312.7    $  --         $  --          $   312.7
Cost of sales........................................      --            253.8       --            --              253.8
                                                       -----------  -----------  -----------       ------         ------
  Gross earnings.....................................      --             58.9       --            --               58.9
Selling and administrative expenses..................         3.7         25.8       --            --               29.5
Securitization expense...............................         2.3       --             (0.4)       --                1.9
                                                       -----------  -----------  -----------       ------         ------
  Operating income (loss)............................        (6.0)        33.1          0.4        --               27.5
Net interest expense.................................         4.5          0.6          0.4        --                5.5
                                                       -----------  -----------  -----------       ------         ------
Income (loss) before income taxes....................       (10.5)        32.5       --            --               22.0
Provision (benefit) for income taxes.................        (3.8)        12.3       --            --                8.5
                                                       -----------  -----------  -----------       ------         ------
Income (loss) before equity in income of consolidated
  subsidiaries.......................................        (6.7)        20.2       --            --               13.5
Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries........        20.2       --           --             (20.2)        --
                                                       -----------  -----------  -----------       ------         ------
Net income...........................................   $    13.5    $    20.2    $     0.0     $   (20.2)     $    13.5
                                                       -----------  -----------  -----------       ------         ------
                                                       -----------  -----------  -----------       ------         ------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-44
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
        NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                                 JUNE 30, 1997
 
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
(7) GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES (CONTINUED)
            SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME
                         SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997
                                 (IN MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    NON-
                                                         PARENT      GUARANTOR    GUARANTOR
                                                         COMPANY    SUBSIDIARIES SUBSIDIARY   ELIMINATIONS  CONSOLIDATED
                                                       -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
<S>                                                    <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>
Net sales............................................   $  --        $   355.9    $  --        $   --        $    355.9
Cost of sales........................................      --            290.9       --            --             290.9
                                                       -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
  Gross earnings.....................................      --             65.0       --            --              65.0
Selling and administrative expenses..................         2.5         27.4       --            --              29.9
Securitization expense...............................         3.0       --             (0.9)       --               2.1
Recapitalization expenses............................        36.3       --           --            --              36.3
                                                       -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
  Operating income (loss)............................       (41.8)        37.6          0.9        --              (3.3)
Net interest expense.................................         5.8          0.1          0.9        --               6.8
                                                       -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
Income (loss) before income taxes....................       (47.6)        37.5       --            --             (10.1)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes.................       (12.6)        14.8       --            --               2.2
                                                       -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
Income (loss) before extraordinary item and equity in
  income of consolidated subsidiaries................       (35.0)        22.7       --            --             (12.3)
 
Extraordinary item:
  Early extinguishment of debt, net of income tax
    benefit of $0.9 million..........................        (1.5)      --           --            --              (1.5)
                                                       -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
Income (loss) before equity in income of consolidated
  subsidiaries.......................................       (36.5)        22.7       --            --             (13.8)
Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries........        22.7       --           --             (22.7)       --
                                                       -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
Net income (loss)....................................   $   (13.8)   $    22.7    $  --        $    (22.7)   $    (13.8)
                                                       -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
                                                       -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-45
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
        NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                                 JUNE 30, 1997
 
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
(7) GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES (CONTINUED)
 
          SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                         SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
                                 (IN MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      PARENT       GUARANTOR    NON- GUARANTOR
                                                      COMPANY    SUBSIDIARIES    SUBSIDIARY    ELIMINATIONS   CONSOLIDATED
                                                    -----------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                                 <C>          <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES..............   $    (4.6)    $    13.3      $     1.1      $  --          $     9.8
                                                    -----------       ------         ------         ------         ------
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Purchase of businesses..........................      --             (18.8)        --             --              (18.8)
  Capital expenditures............................      --              (8.6)        --             --               (8.6)
  Other...........................................        (0.1)         (1.0)        --             --               (1.1)
                                                    -----------       ------         ------         ------         ------
  Net cash used in investing activities...........        (0.1)        (28.4)        --             --              (28.5)
                                                    -----------       ------         ------         ------         ------
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Advances (to) from affiliate....................       (16.9)         15.1            1.8         --             --
  Net borrowings on debt..........................        22.0          (0.1)        --                              21.9
                                                    -----------       ------         ------         ------         ------
  Net cash from financing activities..............         5.1          15.0            1.8         --               21.9
                                                    -----------       ------         ------         ------         ------
 
CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS...............         0.4          (0.1)           2.9         --                3.2
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD....        (0.3)          1.4         --             --                1.1
                                                    -----------       ------         ------         ------         ------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD..........   $     0.1     $     1.3      $     2.9      $  --          $     4.3
                                                    -----------       ------         ------         ------         ------
                                                    -----------       ------         ------         ------         ------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-46
<PAGE>
                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
        NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                                 JUNE 30, 1997
 
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
(7) GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES (CONTINUED)
          SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                         SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997
                                 (IN MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 NON-
                                                      PARENT      GUARANTOR    GUARANTOR
                                                      COMPANY    SUBSIDIARIES SUBSIDIARY   ELIMINATIONS  CONSOLIDATED
                                                    -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
<S>                                                 <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES..............   $   (21.6)   $    39.6    $   (17.9)   $   --        $      0.1
                                                    -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Capital expenditures............................      --             (6.5)      --            --              (6.5)
  Other...........................................        (1.9)         0.5          0.2        --              (1.2)
                                                    -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
  Net cash used in investing activities...........        (1.9)        (6.0)         0.2        --              (7.7)
                                                    -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Proceeds from senior credit facilities..........       175.0       --           --            --             175.0
  Repayment of senior credit facilities...........      (138.8)      --           --            --            (138.8)
  Issuance of senior subordinated debt............       247.0       --           --            --             247.0
  Issuance of common stock........................       134.6       --           --            --             134.6
  Retirement of common stock......................      (337.5)      --           --            --            (337.5)
  Payment of Recapitalization fees and expenses...       (52.0)      --           --            --             (52.0)
  Advances (to) from affiliate....................        15.2        (33.3)        18.1        --               0.0
  Net borrowings on debt..........................        17.2         (0.1)      --            --              17.1
                                                    -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
  Net cash from financing activities..............        60.7        (33.4)        18.1        --              45.4
                                                    -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
 
CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS...............        37.2          0.2          0.4        --              37.8
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD....         2.6          1.3       --            --               3.9
                                                    -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD..........   $    39.8    $     1.5    $     0.4    $   --        $     41.7
                                                    -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
                                                    -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-47
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    ALL TENDERED OLD SECURITIES, EXECUTED LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL AND OTHER
RELATED DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT. QUESTIONS AND
REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE AND REQUESTS FOR ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS,
THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND OTHER RELATED DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE
EXCHANGE AGENT AS FOLLOWS:
 
                        BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL:
                         Harris Trust and Savings Bank
                      c/o Harris Trust Company of New York
                                 P.O. Box 1010
                              Wall Street Station
                         New York, New York 10268-1010
 
                     BY HAND DELIVERY OR OVERNIGHT COURIER:
                         Harris Trust and Savings Bank
                      c/o Harris Trust Company of New York
                                77 Water Street
                                   4th Floor
                            New York, New York 10005
 
                            FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION:
                                 (212) 701-7636
 
                             CONFIRM BY TELEPHONE:
                                 (212) 701-7624
               (Originals of all documents submitted by facsimile
                        should be sent promptly by hand,
              overnight courier, or registered or certified mail)
 
    NO BROKER, DEALER OR OTHER PERSON IS AUTHORIZED IN CONNECTION WITH ANY OFFER
MADE HEREBY TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS NOT CONTAINED
IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS
MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY. THIS
PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO
BUY ANY SECURITY OTHER THAN THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY NOR DOES IT CONSTITUTE
AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES
OFFERED HEREBY TO ANY PERSON IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE
SUCH AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION TO SUCH PERSON. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES CREATE ANY
IMPLICATION THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME
SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
 
    UNTIL            , 1997, ALL DEALERS EFFECTING TRANSACTIONS IN THE NOTES,
WHETHER OR NOT PARTICIPATING IN THIS EXCHANGE OFFER, MAY BE REQUIRED TO DELIVER
A PROSPECTUS.
 
                                FALCON BUILDING
                                 PRODUCTS, INC.
 
                                     [LOGO]
 
                             OFFER FOR OUTSTANDING
                      9 1/2% SERIES A SENIOR SUBORDINATED
                               NOTES DUE 2007 AND
                      10 1/2% SERIES A SENIOR SUBORDINATED
                            DISCOUNT NOTES DUE 2007
                         IN EXCHANGE FOR, RESPECTIVELY,
                      9 1/2% SERIES B SENIOR SUBORDINATED
                               NOTES DUE 2007 AND
                      10 1/2% SERIES B SENIOR SUBORDINATED
                            DISCOUNT NOTES DUE 2007
 
                              -------------------
 
                                   PROSPECTUS
 
                              -------------------
 
                                          , 1997
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                                    PART II
 
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 20.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
    Falcon Building Products, Inc. (the "Company"), and its subsidiaries
DeVilbiss Air Power Company ("DeVilbiss"), Hart & Cooley, Inc. ("H&C"),
Mansfield Plumbing Products, Inc. ("Mansfield") and SWC Industries, Inc.
("Swirlway") (the aforementioned subsidiaries are collectively referred to
herein as the "Delaware Guarantors" and, together with the Company, the
"Delaware Registrants") are each Delaware corporations and, therefore, are
subject to the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL").
 
    Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL provides that the certificate of incorporation
of any Delaware corporation may eliminate the personal liability of directors to
the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary
duty as a director, other than liability for (i) breach of duty of loyalty to
the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) acts or omissions not in good faith or
which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii)
certain unlawful distributions under Section 174 of the DGCL and (iv) for any
transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
 
    The restated certificate of incorporation of the Company (see Exhibit 3.01
to this Registration Statement) and the certificate of incorporation of
DeVilbiss, as amended to the date hereof (see Exhibits 3.07.1 and 3.07.2 to this
Registration Statement), each eliminate the personal liability of its directors,
except in the four cases described above. Moreover, the Company's restated
certificate of incorporation provides that, in the event that the DGCL is
amended to permit greater elimination of liability, the personal liability of
its directors shall be so limited.
 
    The certificates of incorporation of H&C and Swirlway, each as amended to
the date hereof (see Exhibit 3.03 and Exhibits 3.09.1 to 3.09.3, respectively,
to this Registration Statement), eliminate the personal liability of its
directors to the full extent of the DGCL.
 
    Section 145 of the DGCL provides for, among other things:
 
    a.  permissive indemnification for expenses (including attorneys' fees),
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred
by designated persons, including directors and officers of a corporation, in the
event such persons are parties to litigation other than stockholder derivative
actions if (i) such persons acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably
believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of such corporation, (ii)
with respect to criminal proceedings, such persons had no reasonable cause to
believe their actions were unlawful, and (iii) such corporation, by its
directors, stockholders or legal counsel, determine that such persons have met
the applicable standards of conduct in clauses (i) and (ii) hereof;
 
    b.  permissive indemnification for expenses (including attorneys' fees)
actually and reasonably incurred by designated persons, including directors and
officers of a corporation, in the event such persons are parties to stockholder
derivative actions if (i) such persons acted in good faith and in a manner
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of such
corporation, and (ii) such corporation, by its directors, stockholders or legal
counsel, determine that such persons have met the applicable standards of
conduct in clause (i) hereof, except that in no case may indemnification be made
with respect to any issue as to which such person has been adjudged to be liable
to such corporation (except as the Delaware Chancery Court may otherwise
determine);
 
    c.  mandatory indemnification for expenses (including attorneys' fees)
actually and reasonably incurred by designated persons, including directors and
officers of a corporation, in the event such persons are successful on the
merits or otherwise in defense of litigation covered by a. and b. above; and
 
    d.  permissive advancement of expenses (including attorney's fees) incurred
by designated persons, including directors and officers of a corporation, under
receipt from such persons of an undertaking to repay such advances if it is
subsequently determined that such persons are not entitled to indemnification;
and
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>
    e.  that the indemnification provided for by Section 145 is not deemed
exclusive of any other rights which may be provided under any by-law, agreement,
stockholder or disinterested director vote, or otherwise.
 
    In addition to the indemnification provisions of the DGCL as described
above, the certificates of incorporation, as amended to the date hereof, of
certain of the Delaware Registrants authorizes indemnification of such Delaware
Registrant's officers and directors as described below:
 
    The restated certificate of incorporation of the Company provides that the
Company shall indemnify any officer or director of the Company to the fullest
extent permissible under Section 145 of the DGCL. The Company shall provide
indemnification within 30 days after receiving a request therefor from such
person, unless the Company's directors, stockholders or legal counsel determine
that such person is not entitled to indemnification.
 
    The Company's restated certificate of incorporation also provides that the
Company shall advance the expenses of any officer or director incurred in
connection with any action for which such person might be entitled to
indemnification. Such advancement need not be conditioned on either the making
of an undertaking to repay such advances if it is subsequently determined that
such persons are not entitled to indemnification or be guaranteed or
collateralized.
 
    The protections provided by the restated certificate of incorporation of the
Company also apply to the officers and directors of each of the Company's
subsidiaries, including each of the Delaware Guarantors and Ex-Cell
Manufacturing Company, Inc. (collectively, the "Guarantors"). The certificates
of incorporation of H&C and of Swirlway each provide that such Delaware
Guarantor shall indemnify its officers and directors to the fullest extent
permitted under the DGCL, but do not require the advancement of expenses. The
certificate of incorporation of Mansfield contains no provisions regarding the
indemnification of its officers and directors.
 
    Moreover, the By-Laws of each of the Delaware Registrants authorizes
indemnification of such Delaware Registrant's officers and directors to the
fullest extent permitted under Section 145 of the DGCL.
 
    In addition, as permitted by the DGCL, the Company has entered into
Indemnity Agreements see Exhibit 10.32 to this Registration Statement with its
directors that provide contractual rights substantially similar to the rights to
indemnification and advancement of expenses set forth in its restated
certificate of incorporation, as described above. Moreover, the Indemnity
Agreements only authorize withholding such payments when a final determination
(as defined therein) adverse to an indemnitee is reached.
 
    The Company maintains officers' and directors' insurance covering certain
liabilities that may be incurred by officers and directors in the performance of
their duties.
 
    Ex-Cell Manufacturing Company, Inc., an Arkansas corporation ("Ex-Cell" and,
together with the Delaware Registrants, the "Registrants"), is governed by the
Arkansas Business Corporation Act of 1987 (the "ABCA").
 
    The text of Section 4-27-202(A)(3) of the ABCA, regarding the elimination of
personal liability of directors to the corporation or its stockholders is
substantially identical to Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, except that it also
prohibits the elimination of liability for any action, omission, transaction or
breach of a director's duty that creates any third-party liability to any party
other than the corporation or its stockholders. Ex-Cell's Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation (see Exhibit 3.11 to this Registration Statement)
provides that the personal liability of directors is eliminated to the fullest
extent permitted by the ABCA.
 
    The text of Section 4-27-850 of the ABCA, which governs indemnification of
officers and directors, is substantially similar to Section 145 of the DGCL.
Ex-Cell's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation requires Ex-Cell to
indemnify any and all persons whom it shall have the power to indemnify under
the ABCA to the fullest extent possible. Similarly, Ex-Cell's By-Laws confirm
that Ex-Cell shall provide indemnification of its officers and directors to the
full extent permitted under the law.
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>
ITEM 21.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
    (A) EXHIBITS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>    <S>
  1.01 Purchase Agreement, dated June 6, 1997, among the Company, the Guarantors,
         and Smith Barney Inc., BT Securities Corporation, Chase Securities and
         Merrill Lynch, Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated (collectively, the
         "Initial Purchasers").
  1.02 Registration Rights Agreement, dated June 17, 1997, between the Company,
         the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers (incorporated by reference to
         Exhibit 4.03 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August
         14, 1997).
  1.03 Form of Letter of Transmittal.
  2.01 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 20, 1997, between the
         Company and FBP Acquisition Corporation, Inc. ("FBP"), including
         exhibits thereto (incorporated by reference to Annex I to the Proxy
         Statement/Prospectus contained in the Company's Registration Statement
         on Form S-4, File No. 333-24625, filed April 4, 1997, as amended).
  2.02 Stockholder Voting Agreement, dated as of March 20, 1997, among the
         Company, FBP and Equity Holdings Limited ("EHL") (included as Annex II-A
         to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus contained in the Company's
         Registration Statement on Form S- 4, File No. 333-24625, filed April 4,
         1997, as amended).
  2.03 Form of Stockholder Voting Agreements, dated as of March 20, 1997, among
         the Company, FBP and certain management stockholders (included as Annex
         II-B to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus contained in the Company's
         Registration Statement on Form S-4, File No. 333-24625, filed April 4,
         1997, as amended).
  3.01 Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company as filed with the
         Delaware Secretary of State on June 17, 1997 (incorporated by reference
         to Exhibit 3.01 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated
         August 14, 1997).
  3.02 By-laws of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.02 of the
         Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
  3.03 Certificate of Incorporation of H&C as filed with the Delaware Secretary
         of State on October 28, 1986.
  3.04 Bylaws of H&C dated August 1, 1996.
  3.05 Certificate of Incorporation of Mansfield as filed with the Delaware
         Secretary of State on March 4, 1986.
  3.06 Bylaws of Mansfield dated August 1, 1996.
  3.07.1 Certificate of Incorporation of DeVilbiss as filed with the Delaware
         Secretary of State on January 22, 1988.
  3.07.2 Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation of DeVilbiss
         as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on April 8, 1991.
  3.08 Bylaws of DeVilbiss dated August 1, 1996.
  3.09.1 Certificate of Incorporation of Swirlway as filed with the Delaware
         Secretary of State on September 12, 1989.
  3.09.2 Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation of Swirlway
         as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on December 20, 1989.
  3.09.3 Certificate of Merger of Bluebonnet Holdings, Inc. and Swirlway as filed
         with the Delaware Secretary of State on April 12, 1995.
  3.10 Bylaws of Swirlway dated August 1, 1996.
  3.11 Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Ex-Cell as filed with
         the Arkansas Secretary of State on April 15, 1996.
  3.12 Bylaws of Ex-Cell dated August 1, 1996.
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>    <S>
  4.01 Indenture between the Company, the Guarantors and Harris Trust and Savings
         Bank, as Trustee, dated as of June 17, 1997, relating to the Old Notes
         and the Notes, including form of Old Note (incorporated by reference to
         Exhibit 4.01 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 30,
         1997).
  4.02 Indenture between the Company, the Guarantors and Harris Trust and Savings
         Bank, as Trustee, dated as of June 17, 1997, relating to the Old
         Discount Notes and the Discount Notes, including form of Old Discount
         Note (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company's Current
         Report on Form 8-K dated June 30, 1997).
  4.03 Form of Note.
  4.04 Form of Discount Note.
  4.05 Form of Note Guarantee.
  4.06 Form of Discount Note Guarantee.
  4.07 Registration Rights Agreement, dated June 17, 1997, between the Company,
         the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers (filed as Exhibit 1.02).
  4.08 Letter of Transmittal (filed as Exhibit 1.03).
  4.09 Credit Agreement, dated as of June 17, 1997, among the Company, the
         several Lenders from time to time parties thereto, and The Chase
         Manhattan Bank, as administrative agent for the Lenders (incorporated by
         reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K
         dated June 30, 1997).
  5.01 Opinion of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP regarding the legality of the
         Securities.
  5.02 Opinion of Gus J. Athas, General Counsel to the Company and the
         Guarantors, regarding the legality of the Securities.
  8.01 Opinion of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP regarding certain tax matters.
 10.01 Financing Advisory Agreement, dated March 20, 1997, between FBP and
         Investcorp International, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
         10.01 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14,
         1997).
 10.02 Standby Loan Commitment Letter Agreement, dated as of March 20, 1997,
         between FBP and Invifin S.A. (incorporated by reference to Annex I to
         the Proxy Statement/ Prospectus contained in the Company's Registration
         Statement on Form S-4, File No. 333-24625, filed April 4, 1997, as
         amended).
 10.03 Agreement for Management Advisory, Strategic Planning and Consulting
         Services, between FBP and Investcorp International, Inc., dated as of
         June 17, 1997 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.03 of the
         Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
 10.04.1 Employment Agreement, dated May 22, 1997, between the Company and Gus J.
         Athas (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.04.1 of the Company's
         Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
 10.04.2 First Amendment to the Employment Agreement between the Company and Gus J.
         Athas (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.04.2 of the Company's
         Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
 10.05.1 Employment Agreement, dated May 22, 1997, between the Company and Sam A.
         Cottone (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.05.1 of the Company's
         Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
 10.05.2 First Amendment to the Employment Agreement between the Company and Sam A.
         Cottone (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.05.2 of the Company's
         Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
 10.06.1 Employment Agreement, dated May 22, 1997, between the Company and William
         K. Hall (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.06.1 of the Company's
         Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>    <S>
 10.06.2 First Amendment to the Employment Agreement between the Company and
         William K. Hall (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.06.2 of the
         Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
 10.07.1 Employment Agreement, dated June 11, 1997, between the Company and Anthony
         J. Navitsky (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.07.1 of the
         Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
 10.07.2 First Amendment to the Employment Agreement between the Company and
         Anthony J. Navitsky (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.07.2 of the
         Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
 10.08.1 Employment Agreement between the Company and Edward G. Finnegan, Jr.
         (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.08.1 of the Company's Quarterly
         Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
 10.08.2 First Amendment to the Employment Agreement between the Company and Edward
         G. Finnegan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.08.2 of the
         Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
 10.09 Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of March 31, 1997, between the Company
         and William E. Allen (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.09 of the
         Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
 10.10 Amended and Restated Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 17,
         1997 among Falcon Receivable Program, Inc., the Company, Market Street
         Funding Corporation and PNC Bank, National Association (incorporated by
         reference to Exhibit 10.10 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form
         10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
 10.11 Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 2, 1996 among Centrally
         Held Eagle Receivables Program, Inc., the Company, certain Commercial
         Lending Institutions and PNC Bank, National Association (incorporated by
         reference to Exhibit 10.17 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form
         10-Q dated June 30, 1996).
 10.12 Corporate Services Agreement, effective as of June 17, 1997, between the
         Company and Eagle Industries, Inc. ("Eagle") (incorporated by reference
         to Exhibit 10.11 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated
         August 14, 1997).
 10.13 Form of Director Indemnity Agreements, dated as of June 17, 1997, between
         the Company and its Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
         10.12 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14,
         1997).
 10.14 1997 Senior Executive Stock Loan Plan (incorporated by reference to
         Exhibit 10.13 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated
         August 14, 1997).
 10.15 Form of Stock Pledge Agreement between the Company and certain management
         stockholders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 of the
         Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
 10.16 Form of Common Stock Option Settlement Agreement, between the Company and
         certain employees (schedule attached) (incorporated by reference to
         Exhibit 10.15 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated
         August 14, 1997).
 10.17 Form of Restricted Share Settlement Agreements between the Company and
         certain employees (schedule attached) (incorporated by reference to
         Exhibit 10.16 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated
         August 14, 1997).
 10.18 Management Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
         10.17 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14,
         1997).
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>    <S>
 10.19 Form of Stock Option Agreement pursuant to the Company's Management Stock
         Incentive Plan between the Company and certain employees (schedule
         attached) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 of the Company's
         Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
 10.20 Form of Stockholder Agreement, dated June 17, 1997, by and among Falcon,
         FBP and certain management stockholders (schedule attached)
         (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 of the Company's Quarterly
         Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
 10.21 Stockholder Rights Agreement, dated June 17, 1997, by and among the
         Company, FBP and EHL (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 of the
         Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
 10.22 Disaffiliation Tax Sharing Agreement, dated October 28, 1994, between the
         Company and Great American Management and Investment, Inc. ("GAMI")
         (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Annual
         Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996).
 10.23 Trademark License Agreement, dated April 24, 1990, between Illinois Tool
         Works, Inc. and DeVilbiss (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of
         the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-79006,
         filed May 17, 1994, as amended).
 10.24 Trademark Licensing Agreement, dated September 28, 1990, between Masco
         Building Products Corp. and Kilgore Plumbing Products, Inc.
         (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company's Registration
         Statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-79006, filed May 17, 1994, as
         amended).
 10.25 Falcon Building Products, Inc. 1994 Stock Option and Restricted Share Plan
         (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Company's Registration
         Statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-79006, filed May 17, 1994, as
         amended).
 10.26.1 Falcon Building Products, Inc. Senior Executive Stock Purchase Plan
         (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Quarterly
         Report on Form 10-Q filed December 5, 1994).
 10.26.2 Amendment to the Company's Senior Executive Stock Purchase Plan, dated as
         of June 17, 1997, among the Company and certain employees (incorporated
         by reference to Exhibit 10.21 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form
         10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
 10.27 Eagle Industries, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, as adopted
         September 15, 1992 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of the
         Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-79006, filed
         May 17, 1994, as amended).
 10.28 Lease, dated December 6, 1991, between The E.T. Hermann and Jane D.
         Hermann 1978 Living Trust and H&C (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
         10.11 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No.
         33-79006, filed May 17, 1994, as amended).
 10.29 Lease Agreement, dated June 6, 1989, between Belz Investco, L.P. and H&C,
         as amended November 10, 1989 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12
         of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-79006,
         filed May 17, 1994, as amended).
 10.30 Lease Agreement, dated September 3, 1991, between Jack North and Gerry
         North and H&C, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 of
         the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-79006,
         filed May 17, 1994, as amended).
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-6
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS
- ------ --------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>    <S>
 10.31 Indemnity Agreement, dated as of June 22, 1994, between the Company and
         Eagle (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 of the Company's
         Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-79006, filed May 17,
         1994, as amended).
 10.32 ERISA Indemnity Agreement, dated October 10, 1994, between the Company and
         Eagle (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 of the Company's
         Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-79006, filed May 17,
         1994, as amended).
 10.33 Agreement, dated October 4, 1994, between the Company, EHL, GAMI and Eagle
         (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 of the Company's
         Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-79006, filed May 17,
         1994, as amended).
 10.34 Falcon Building Products, Inc. Employee Savings Plan, as adopted January
         1, 1995 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 of the Company's
         Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996).
 10.35 Falcon Building Products, Inc. Cash Balance Pension Plan, as adopted
         January 1, 1996 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 of the
         Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
         1996).
 10.36 Termination Benefits Agreement, dated December 13, 1996, between H&C and
         Lawrence B. Lee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 of the
         Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
         1996).
 10.37 Termination Benefits Agreement, dated December 18, 1996, between Mansfield
         and Paul Fischer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 of the
         Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
         1996).
 10.38 Termination Benefits Agreement, dated December 31, 1996, between DeVilbiss
         and William E. Allen (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 of the
         Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
         1996).
 10.39 Termination Benefits Agreement, dated December 19, 1996, between Falcon
         and Daniel G. Ellis (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 of the
         Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
         1996).
 10.40 Casualty Insurance Indemnity Agreement, dated as of March 20, 1997, by and
         among the Company, DeVilbiss, Eagle, GAMI, H&C and Mansfield
         (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 of the Company's Quarterly
         Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
 10.41 Tax Indemnity Agreement, dated as of March 20, 1997, by and among the
         Company, DeVilbiss, Eagle, GAMI, H&C and Mansfield (incorporated by
         reference to Exhibit 10.23 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form
         10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
 10.42 Pension Benefits Indemnity Agreement, dated as of March 20, 1997, by and
         among the Company, DeVilbiss, Eagle, GAMI, H&C and Mansfield
         (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 of the Company's Quarterly
         Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
 12.01 Statement re: Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
 21.01 Subsidiaries of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 of
         the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
         1996).
 23.01 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
 23.02 Consents of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP (included in Exhibits 5.01 and
         8.01).
 23.03 Consent of Gus J. Athas, General Counsel to the Company and the Guarantors
         (included in Exhibit 5.02).
 24.01 Powers of Attorney (included on Signature Pages of Registration
         Statement).
 25.01 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee.
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-7
<PAGE>
- ------------------------
 
(b) Financial Statement Schedules: None applicable.
 
(c) Report, Opinion or Appraisal from an Outside Party: None applicable.
 
ITEM 22.  UNDERTAKINGS
 
    (a) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrants pursuant to the provisions described under Item 20 or otherwise,
each Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a
claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by a
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of such Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, such Registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
    (b) Each Registrant undertakes:
 
        (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
    a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement (i) to include any
    prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as
    amended; (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
    the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent
    post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
    represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
    Registration Statement; and (iii) to include any material information with
    respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the
    registration statement or any material change to such information in the
    Registration Statement.
 
        (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
    Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
    to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
    therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to
    be the initial BONA FIDE offering thereof.
 
        (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
    any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
    termination of the offering.
 
    (c) Each Registrant undertakes to respond to requests for information that
is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to Item 4, 10(b), 11
or 13 of this form, within one business day of receipt of such request, and to
send the incorporated documents by first class mail or other equally prompt
means. This includes information contained in documents filed subsequent to the
effective date of the Registration Statement through the date of responding to
the request.
 
    (d) Each Registrant undertakes to supply by means of a post-effective
amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the company being
acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and included in the
Registration Statement when it became effective.
 
                                      II-8
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Company has
duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Chicago, Illinois on August 28, 1997.
 
                                FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
 
                                By:             /s/ WILLIAM K. HALL
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                                  William K. Hall
                                              CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
    KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Gus J. Athas and Anthony J. Navitsky, his true
and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments to this Registration
Statement, including post-effective amendments, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and
each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and
thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to
all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, and hereby ratifies
and confirms all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, or
their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done.
 
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on August 28, 1997.
 
             NAME                         TITLE
- ------------------------------  --------------------------
 
                                Director, President and
     /s/ WILLIAM K. HALL          Chief Executive Officer
- ------------------------------    (Principal Executive
       William K. Hall            Officer)
 
                                Director, Executive Vice
      /s/ SAM A. COTTONE          President and Chief
- ------------------------------    Financial Officer
        Sam A. Cottone            (Principal Financial
                                  Officer)
 
   /s/ ANTHONY J. NAVITSKY      Vice President--Finance
- ------------------------------    and Treasurer (Principal
     Anthony J. Navitsky          Accounting Officer)
 
  /s/ CHRISTOPHER J. O'BRIEN
- ------------------------------  Director
    Christopher J. O'Brien
 
   /s/ CHARLES J. PHILIPPIN
- ------------------------------  Director
     Charles J. Philippin
 
  /s/ CHRISTOPHER J. STADLER
- ------------------------------  Director
    Christopher J. Stadler
 
                                      II-9
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Hart & Cooley,
Inc. has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Chicago, Illinois on August 28,
1997.
 
                                HART & COOLEY, INC
 
                                By:             /s/ LAWRENCE B. LEE
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                                  Lawrence B. Lee
                                                     PRESIDENT
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
    KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Gus J. Athas and Anthony J. Navitsky, his true
and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments to this Registration
Statement, including post-effective amendments, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and
each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and
thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to
all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, and hereby ratifies
and confirms all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, or
their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done.
 
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on August 28, 1997.
 
             NAME                         TITLE
- ------------------------------  --------------------------
 
     /s/ LAWRENCE B. LEE
- ------------------------------  President (Principal
       Lawrence B. Lee            Executive Officer)
 
                                Vice President--Finance
     /s/ DAVID A. CROUCH          and Administration
- ------------------------------    (Principal Financial and
       David A. Crouch            Accounting Officer)
 
      /s/ SAM A. COTTONE
- ------------------------------  Director
        Sam A. Cottone
 
     /s/ WILLIAM K. HALL
- ------------------------------  Director
       William K. Hall
 
  /s/ CHRISTOPHER J. O'BRIEN
- ------------------------------  Director
    Christopher J. O'Brien
 
   /s/ CHARLES J. PHILIPPIN
- ------------------------------  Director
     Charles J. Philippin
 
  /s/ CHRISTOPHER J. STADLER
- ------------------------------  Director
    Christopher J. Stadler
 
                                     II-10
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Mansfield
Plumbing Products, Inc. has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Chicago,
Illinois on August 28, 1997.
 
                                MANSFIELD PLUMBING PRODUCTS, INC.
 
                                By:             /s/ PAUL G. FISCHER
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                                  Paul G. Fischer
                                                     PRESIDENT
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
    KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Gus J. Athas and Anthony J. Navitsky, his true
and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments to this Registration
Statement, including post-effective amendments, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and
each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and
thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to
all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, and hereby ratifies
and confirms all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, or
their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done.
 
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on August 28, 1997.
 
             NAME                         TITLE
- ------------------------------  --------------------------
 
      /s/ PAUL G. FISHER
- ------------------------------  President (Principal
       Paul G. Fischer            Executive Officer)
 
     /s/ WILLIAM C. MENKE       Vice President--Finance
- ------------------------------    (Principal Financial and
       William C. Menke           Accounting Officer)
 
     /s/ WILLIAM K. HALL
- ------------------------------  Director
       William K. Hall
 
      /s/ SAM A. COTTONE
- ------------------------------  Director
        Sam A. Cottone
 
  /s/ CHRISTOPHER J. O'BRIEN
- ------------------------------  Director
    Christopher J. O'Brien
 
   /s/ CHARLES J. PHILIPPIN
- ------------------------------  Director
     Charles J. Philippin
 
  /s/ CHRISTOPHER J. STADLER
- ------------------------------  Director
    Christopher J. Stadler
 
                                     II-11
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, DeVilbiss Air
Power Company has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Chicago, Illinois on
August 28, 1997.
 
                                DEVILBISS AIR POWER COMPANY
 
                                By:             /s/ WILLIAM E. ALLEN
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                                  William E. Allen
                                                     PRESIDENT
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
    KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Gus J. Athas and Anthony J. Navitsky, his true
and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments to this Registration
Statement, including post-effective amendments, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and
each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and
thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to
all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, and hereby ratifies
and confirms all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, or
their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done.
 
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on August 28, 1997.
 
             NAME                         TITLE
- ------------------------------  --------------------------
 
     /s/ WILLIAM E. ALLEN
- ------------------------------  President (Principal
       William E. Allen           Executive Officer)
 
      /s/ THOMAS DEWITT         Vice President--Finance
- ------------------------------    (Principal Financial and
        Thomas DeWitt             Accounting Officer)
 
     /s/ WILLIAM K. HALL
- ------------------------------  Director
       William K. Hall
 
      /s/ SAM A. COTTONE
- ------------------------------  Director
        Sam A. Cottone
 
  /s/ CHRISTOPHER J. O'BRIEN
- ------------------------------  Director
    Christopher J. O'Brien
 
   /s/ CHARLES J. PHILIPPIN
- ------------------------------  Director
     Charles J. Philippin
 
  /s/ CHRISTOPHER J. STADLER
- ------------------------------  Director
    Christopher J. Stadler
 
                                     II-12
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, SWC Industries,
Inc. has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Chicago, Illinois on August 28,
1997.
 
                                SWC INDUSTRIES, INC.
 
                                By:             /s/ PAUL G. FISCHER
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                                  Paul G. Fischer
                                                     PRESIDENT
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
    KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Gus J. Athas and Anthony J. Navitsky, his true
and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments to this Registration
Statement, including post-effective amendments, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and
each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and
thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to
all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, and hereby ratifies
and confirms all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, or
their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done.
 
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on August 28, 1997.
 
             NAME                         TITLE
- ------------------------------  --------------------------
 
     /s/ PAUL G. FISCHER
- ------------------------------  President (Principal
       Paul G. Fischer            Executive Officer)
 
     /s/ WILLIAM C. MENKE       Vice President--Finance
- ------------------------------    (Principal Financial and
       William C. Menke           Accounting Officer)
 
     /s/ WILLIAM K. HALL
- ------------------------------  Director
       William K. Hall
 
      /s/ SAM A. COTTONE
- ------------------------------  Director
        Sam A. Cottone
 
  /s/ CHRISTOPHER J. O'BRIEN
- ------------------------------  Director
    Christopher J. O'Brien
 
   /s/ CHARLES J. PHILIPPIN
- ------------------------------  Director
     Charles J. Philippin
 
  /s/ CHRISTOPHER J. STADLER
- ------------------------------  Director
    Christopher J. Stadler
 
                                     II-13
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Ex-Cell
Manufacturing Company, Inc. has duly caused this Registration Statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Chicago,
Illinois on August 28, 1997.
 
                                EX-CELL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
 
                                By:             /s/ WILLIAM E. ALLEN
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                                  William E. Allen
                                                     PRESIDENT
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
    KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Gus J. Athas and Anthony J. Navitsky, his true
and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments to this Registration
Statement, including post-effective amendments, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and
each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and
thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to
all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, and hereby ratifies
and confirms all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, or
their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done.
 
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on August 28, 1997.
 
             NAME                         TITLE
- ------------------------------  --------------------------
 
     /s/ WILLIAM E. ALLEN
- ------------------------------  President (Principal
       William E. Allen           Executive Officer)
 
      /s/ THOMAS DEWITT         Vice President--Finance
- ------------------------------    (Principal Financial and
        Thomas DeWitt             Accounting Officer)
 
     /s/ WILLIAM K. HALL
- ------------------------------  Director
       William K. Hall
 
      /s/ SAM A. COTTONE
- ------------------------------  Director
        Sam A. Cottone
 
  /s/ CHRISTOPHER J. O'BRIEN
- ------------------------------  Director
    Christopher J. O'Brien
 
   /s/ CHARLES J. PHILIPPIN
- ------------------------------  Director
     Charles J. Philippin
 
  /s/ CHRISTOPHER J. STADLER
- ------------------------------  Director
    Christopher J. Stadler
 
                                     II-14
<PAGE>
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBITS                                                                                                      PAGE
- ---------                                                                                                   ---------
<C>        <S>                                                                                              <C>
   1.01    Purchase Agreement, dated June 6, 1997, among the Company, the Guarantors, and Smith Barney
             Inc., BT Securities Corporation, Chase Securities and Merrill Lynch, Pierce Fenner & Smith
             Incorporated (collectively, the "Initial Purchasers").
   1.02    Registration Rights Agreement, dated June 17, 1997, between the Company, the Guarantors and the
             Initial Purchasers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.03 of the Company's Quarterly
             Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
   1.03    Form of Letter of Transmittal.
   2.01    Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 20, 1997, between the Company and FBP
             Acquisition Corporation, Inc. ("FBP"), including exhibits thereto (incorporated by reference
             to Annex I to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus contained in the Company's Registration
             Statement on Form S-4, File No. 333-24625, filed April 4, 1997, as amended).
   2.02    Stockholder Voting Agreement, dated as of March 20, 1997, among the Company, FBP and Equity
             Holdings Limited ("EHL") (included as Annex II-A to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus contained
             in the Company's Registration Statement on Form S- 4, File No. 333-24625, filed April 4,
             1997, as amended).
   2.03    Form of Stockholder Voting Agreements, dated as of March 20, 1997, among the Company, FBP and
             certain management stockholders (included as Annex II-B to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus
             contained in the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4, File No. 333-24625, filed
             April 4, 1997, as amended).
   3.01    Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company as filed with the Delaware Secretary of
             State on June 17, 1997 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.01 of the Company's Quarterly
             Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
   3.02    By-laws of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.02 of the Company's Quarterly
             Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
   3.03    Certificate of Incorporation of H&C as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on October
             28, 1986.
   3.04    Bylaws of H&C dated August 1, 1996.
   3.05    Certificate of Incorporation of Mansfield as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on
             March 4, 1986.
   3.06    Bylaws of Mansfield dated August 1, 1996.
   3.07.1  Certificate of Incorporation of DeVilbiss as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on
             January 22, 1988.
   3.07.2  Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation of DeVilbiss as filed with the
             Delaware Secretary of State on April 8, 1991.
   3.08    Bylaws of DeVilbiss dated August 1, 1996.
   3.09.1  Certificate of Incorporation of Swirlway as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on
             September 12, 1989.
   3.09.2  Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation of Swirlway as filed with the
             Delaware Secretary of State on December 20, 1989.
   3.09.3  Certificate of Merger of Bluebonnet Holdings, Inc. and Swirlway as filed with the Delaware
             Secretary of State on April 12, 1995.
   3.10    Bylaws of Swirlway dated August 1, 1996.
   3.11    Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Ex-Cell as filed with the Arkansas Secretary
             of State on April 15, 1996.
   3.12    Bylaws of Ex-Cell dated August 1, 1996.
   4.01    Indenture between the Company, the Guarantors and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as Trustee,
             dated as of June 17, 1997, relating to the Old Notes and the Notes, including form of Old
             Note (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.01 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K
             dated June 30, 1997).
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBITS                                                                                                      PAGE
- ---------                                                                                                   ---------
<C>        <S>                                                                                              <C>
   4.02    Indenture between the Company, the Guarantors and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as Trustee,
             dated as of June 17, 1997, relating to the Old Discount Notes and the Discount Notes,
             including form of Old Discount Note (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the
             Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 30, 1997).
   4.03    Form of Note.
   4.04    Form of Discount Note.
   4.05    Form of Note Guarantee.
   4.06    Form of Discount Note Guarantee.
   4.07    Registration Rights Agreement, dated June 17, 1997, between the Company, the Guarantors and the
             Initial Purchasers (filed as Exhibit 1.02).
   4.08    Letter of Transmittal (filed as Exhibit 1.03).
   4.09    Credit Agreement, dated as of June 17, 1997, among the Company, the several Lenders from time
             to time parties thereto, and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as administrative agent for the
             Lenders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form
             8-K dated June 30, 1997).
   5.01    Opinion of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP regarding the legality of the Securities.
   5.02    Opinion of Gus J. Athas, General Counsel to the Company and the Guarantors, regarding the
             legality of the Securities.
   8.01    Opinion of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP regarding certain tax matters.
  10.01    Financing Advisory Agreement, dated March 20, 1997, between FBP and Investcorp International,
             Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.01 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form
             10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
  10.02    Standby Loan Commitment Letter Agreement, dated as of March 20, 1997, between FBP and Invifin
             S.A. (incorporated by reference to Annex I to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus contained in the
             Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4, File No. 333-24625, filed April 4, 1997, as
             amended).
  10.03    Agreement for Management Advisory, Strategic Planning and Consulting Services, between FBP and
             Investcorp International, Inc., dated as of June 17, 1997 (incorporated by reference to
             Exhibit 10.03 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
  10.04.1  Employment Agreement, dated May 22, 1997, between the Company and Gus J. Athas (incorporated by
             reference to Exhibit 10.04.1 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14,
             1997).
  10.04.2  First Amendment to the Employment Agreement between the Company and Gus J. Athas (incorporated
             by reference to Exhibit 10.04.2 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August
             14, 1997).
  10.05.1  Employment Agreement, dated May 22, 1997, between the Company and Sam A. Cottone (incorporated
             by reference to Exhibit 10.05.1 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August
             14, 1997).
  10.05.2  First Amendment to the Employment Agreement between the Company and Sam A. Cottone
             (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.05.2 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
             dated August 14, 1997).
  10.06.1  Employment Agreement, dated May 22, 1997, between the Company and William K. Hall (incorporated
             by reference to Exhibit 10.06.1 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August
             14, 1997).
  10.06.2  First Amendment to the Employment Agreement between the Company and William K. Hall
             (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.06.2 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
             dated August 14, 1997).
  10.07.1  Employment Agreement, dated June 11, 1997, between the Company and Anthony J. Navitsky
             (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.07.1 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
             dated August 14, 1997).
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBITS                                                                                                      PAGE
- ---------                                                                                                   ---------
<C>        <S>                                                                                              <C>
  10.07.2  First Amendment to the Employment Agreement between the Company and Anthony J. Navitsky
             (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.07.2 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
             dated August 14, 1997).
  10.08.1  Employment Agreement between the Company and Edward G. Finnegan, Jr. (incorporated by reference
             to Exhibit 10.08.1 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
  10.08.2  First Amendment to the Employment Agreement between the Company and Edward G. Finnegan
             (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.08.2 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
             dated August 14, 1997).
  10.09    Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of March 31, 1997, between the Company and William E. Allen
             (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.09 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
             dated August 14, 1997).
  10.10    Amended and Restated Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 17, 1997 among Falcon
             Receivable Program, Inc., the Company, Market Street Funding Corporation and PNC Bank,
             National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of the Company's Quarterly
             Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
  10.11    Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 2, 1996 among Centrally Held Eagle Receivables
             Program, Inc., the Company, certain Commercial Lending Institutions and PNC Bank, National
             Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 of the Company's Quarterly Report on
             Form 10-Q dated June 30, 1996).
  10.12    Corporate Services Agreement, effective as of June 17, 1997, between the Company and Eagle
             Industries, Inc. ("Eagle") (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of the Company's
             Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
  10.13    Form of Director Indemnity Agreements, dated as of June 17, 1997, between the Company and its
             Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 of the Company's Quarterly Report on
             Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
  10.14    1997 Senior Executive Stock Loan Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 of the
             Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
  10.15    Form of Stock Pledge Agreement between the Company and certain management stockholders
             (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
             dated August 14, 1997).
  10.16    Form of Common Stock Option Settlement Agreement, between the Company and certain employees
             (schedule attached) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 of the Company's Quarterly
             Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
  10.17    Form of Restricted Share Settlement Agreements between the Company and certain employees
             (schedule attached) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 of the Company's Quarterly
             Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
  10.18    Management Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 of the Company's
             Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
  10.19    Form of Stock Option Agreement pursuant to the Company's Management Stock Incentive Plan
             between the Company and certain employees (schedule attached) (incorporated by reference to
             Exhibit 10.18 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
  10.20    Form of Stockholder Agreement, dated June 17, 1997, by and among Falcon, FBP and certain
             management stockholders (schedule attached) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 of
             the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
  10.21    Stockholder Rights Agreement, dated June 17, 1997, by and among the Company, FBP and EHL
             (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
             dated August 14, 1997).
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBITS                                                                                                      PAGE
- ---------                                                                                                   ---------
<C>        <S>                                                                                              <C>
  10.22    Disaffiliation Tax Sharing Agreement, dated October 28, 1994, between the Company and Great
             American Management and Investment, Inc. ("GAMI") (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2
             of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996).
  10.23    Trademark License Agreement, dated April 24, 1990, between Illinois Tool Works, Inc. and
             DeVilbiss (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company's Registration Statement
             on Form S-1, File No. 33-79006, filed May 17, 1994, as amended).
  10.24    Trademark Licensing Agreement, dated September 28, 1990, between Masco Building Products Corp.
             and Kilgore Plumbing Products, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the
             Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-79006, filed May 17, 1994, as
             amended).
  10.25    Falcon Building Products, Inc. 1994 Stock Option and Restricted Share Plan (incorporated by
             reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No.
             33-79006, filed May 17, 1994, as amended).
  10.26.1  Falcon Building Products, Inc. Senior Executive Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference
             to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed December 5, 1994).
  10.26.2  Amendment to the Company's Senior Executive Stock Purchase Plan, dated as of June 17, 1997,
             among the Company and certain employees (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 of the
             Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
  10.27    Eagle Industries, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, as adopted September 15, 1992
             (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form
             S-1, File No. 33-79006, filed May 17, 1994, as amended).
  10.28    Lease, dated December 6, 1991, between The E.T. Hermann and Jane D. Hermann 1978 Living Trust
             and H&C (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of the Company's Registration Statement
             on Form S-1, File No. 33-79006, filed May 17, 1994, as amended).
  10.29    Lease Agreement, dated June 6, 1989, between Belz Investco, L.P. and H&C, as amended November
             10, 1989 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 of the Company's Registration Statement
             on Form S-1, File No. 33-79006, filed May 17, 1994, as amended).
  10.30    Lease Agreement, dated September 3, 1991, between Jack North and Gerry North and H&C, as
             amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 of the Company's Registration Statement
             on Form S-1, File No. 33-79006, filed May 17, 1994, as amended).
  10.31    Indemnity Agreement, dated as of June 22, 1994, between the Company and Eagle (incorporated by
             reference to Exhibit 10.15 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No.
             33-79006, filed May 17, 1994, as amended).
  10.32    ERISA Indemnity Agreement, dated October 10, 1994, between the Company and Eagle (incorporated
             by reference to Exhibit 10.16 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No.
             33-79006, filed May 17, 1994, as amended).
  10.33    Agreement, dated October 4, 1994, between the Company, EHL, GAMI and Eagle (incorporated by
             reference to Exhibit 10.17 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No.
             33-79006, filed May 17, 1994, as amended).
  10.34    Falcon Building Products, Inc. Employee Savings Plan, as adopted January 1, 1995 (incorporated
             by reference to Exhibit 10.17 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
             December 31, 1996).
  10.35    Falcon Building Products, Inc. Cash Balance Pension Plan, as adopted January 1, 1996
             (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
             the year ended December 31, 1996).
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBITS                                                                                                      PAGE
- ---------                                                                                                   ---------
<C>        <S>                                                                                              <C>
  10.36    Termination Benefits Agreement, dated December 13, 1996, between H&C and Lawrence B. Lee
             (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
             the year ended December 31, 1996).
  10.37    Termination Benefits Agreement, dated December 18, 1996, between Mansfield and Paul Fischer
             (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
             the year ended December 31, 1996).
  10.38    Termination Benefits Agreement, dated December 31, 1996, between DeVilbiss and William E. Allen
             (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
             the year ended December 31, 1996).
  10.39    Termination Benefits Agreement, dated December 19, 1996, between Falcon and Daniel G. Ellis
             (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
             the year ended December 31, 1996).
  10.40    Casualty Insurance Indemnity Agreement, dated as of March 20, 1997, by and among the Company,
             DeVilbiss, Eagle, GAMI, H&C and Mansfield (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 of the
             Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
  10.41    Tax Indemnity Agreement, dated as of March 20, 1997, by and among the Company, DeVilbiss,
             Eagle, GAMI, H&C and Mansfield (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 of the Company's
             Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
  10.42    Pension Benefits Indemnity Agreement, dated as of March 20, 1997, by and among the Company,
             DeVilbiss, Eagle, GAMI, H&C and Mansfield (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 of the
             Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 14, 1997).
  12.01    Statement re: Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
  21.01    Subsidiaries of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 of the Company's Annual
             Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996).
  23.01    Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
  23.02    Consents of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP (included in Exhibits 5.01 and 8.01).
  23.03    Consent of Gus J. Athas, General Counsel to the Company and the Guarantors (included in Exhibit
             5.02).
  24.01    Powers of Attorney (included on Signature Pages of Registration Statement).
  25.01    Statement of Eligibility of Trustee.
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(b) Financial Statement Schedules: None applicable.
 
(c) Report, Opinion or Appraisal from an Outside Party: None applicable.

<PAGE>

                                                                 EXHIBIT 1.01

                              PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                            Dated as of June 6, 1997

                                 by and among

                         FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
                              HART & COOLEY, INC.
                        MANSFIELD PLUMBING PRODUCTS, INC.
                           DEVILBISS AIR POWER COMPANY
                             SWC INDUSTIRES, INC.

                                      and

                     EX-CELL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.

                                      and

                               SMITH BARNEY INC.
                          BT SECURITIES CORPORATION
                             CHASE SECURITIES INC.

                                      and

               MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED

<PAGE>
                            FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
                                 HART & COOLEY, INC.
                          MANSFIELD PLUMBING PRODUCTS, INC.
                             DEVILBISS AIR POWER COMPANY
                                 SWC INDUSTRIES, INC.
                         EX-CELL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC. 

                                     $145,000,000
                       9 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007
                                     $170,000,000
                  10 1/2% Senior Subordinated Discount Notes due 2007


                                  PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                                                    June 6, 1997
                                                              New York, New York

         SMITH BARNEY INC.
         BT SECURITIES CORPORATION
         CHASE SECURITIES INC.
         MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED

c/o Smith Barney Inc.
    388 Greenwich Street
    New York, New York 10013


         Dear Sirs:

                   Falcon Building Products, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"COMPANY"), proposes, upon the terms and conditions set forth herein, to issue
and sell to Smith Barney Inc., BT Securities Corporation, Chase Securities Inc.
and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as the initial
purchasers (collectively, the "INITIAL PURCHASERS"), $145,000,000 in aggregate
principal amount of its 9 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the "SERIES A
SUBORDINATED NOTES") and $170,000,000 in aggregate principal amount at maturity
of its 10 1/2% Senior Subordinated Discount Notes due 2007 (the "SERIES A
SUBORDINATED DISCOUNT NOTES" and, together with the Subordinated Notes, the
"SERIES A SECURITIES"), in each case, subject to the terms and conditions set
forth herein.  The Company's obligations under the Series A Securities,
including the due and punctual payment of principal and interest on the Series A
Securities, will be unconditionally guaranteed (the "SERIES A SUBSIDIARY
GUARANTEES") by each of (i) Hart & Cooley, Inc., Mansfield Plumbing Products,
Inc., DeVilbiss Air Power Company, SWC Industries, Inc. and Ex-Cell
Manufacturing Company, Inc. (each a "GUARANTOR" and, collectively, the
"GUARANTORS") and (ii) each other Subsidiary (as such term is defined in the
Indentures referred to below) of the Company formed or acquired after the
Closing Date (as defined below), other than Unrestricted Subsidiaries, and their
respective successors and assigns (collectively the "GUARANTORS").  As used
herein, the term "SERIES A SECURITIES" shall include the Series A Subsidiary
Guarantees thereof by the Guarantors, unless the context otherwise requires. 
The Guarantors and Centrally Held Eagle Receivables Program, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, are collectively referred to herein as the "SUBSIDIARIES."

                   The Series A Securities will (i) have the terms and
provisions summarized in the Offering 


                                        2
<PAGE>

Memorandum (as defined herein) and (ii) be in the forms specified by the 
Initial Purchasers pursuant to Section 3 hereof. The Series A Subordinated 
Notes will be issued pursuant to the provisions of an indenture, to be dated 
as of June 17, 1997 (the "SUBORDINATED NOTE INDENTURE"), between the Company 
and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as Trustee (the "SUBORDINATED NOTE 
TRUSTEE") and the Series A Subordinated Discount Notes will be issued 
pursuant to the provisions of an indenture, to be dated as of June 17, 1997 
(the "SUBORDINATED DISCOUNT NOTE INDENTURE" and, together with the 
Subordinated Note Indentures, the "INDENTURES"), between the Company and 
Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as Trustee (the "SUBORDINATED DISCOUNT NOTE 
TRUSTEE" and, together with the Subordinated Note Trustee, the "TRUSTEES").  
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the 
meanings assigned to such terms in the Indentures or in the Offering 
Memorandum.

                   The Series A Securities are being issued and sold in 
connection with a recapitalization of the Company (the "RECAPITALIZATION").  
The Recapitalization will consist of the following steps:  (i) Investcorp 
Investment Equity Limited, on its own behalf and on behalf of certain of its 
affiliates and other investors, will purchase for cash in the amount of 
approximately $134,600,000 one hundred percent (100.0%) of the common stock 
("ACQUISITION COMMON") of FBP Acquisition Corp.("ACQUISITION CORP"), Inc. a 
Delaware corporation (the transaction described in this clause (i) being 
hereinafter referred to as the "EQUITY FUNDING"); (ii) Acquisition Corp will 
merge (the "MERGER") with and into the Company pursuant to an Agreement and 
Plan of Merger dated March 20, 1997 between the Company and Acquisition Corp 
(the "MERGER AGREEMENT"); (iii) the Company will issue and sell the Series A 
Subordinated Notes pursuant to the terms hereof; (iv) the Company will issue 
and sell the Series A Subordinated Discount Notes pursuant to the terms 
hereof; (v) The Chase Manhattan Bank will provide $300,000,000 under a senior 
credit facility (the "BANK CREDIT FACILITY") to the Company consisting of (A) 
a $150,000,000 8-year amortizing term loan and (B) a $150,000,000 6-year 
non-amortizing revolving credit facility and (vi) the existing 
off-balance-sheet accounts receivable facility of the Company being provided 
through PNC Capital Markets, Inc., PNC Bank, National Association and certain 
other lenders will be amended and restated and increased (the "AR FACILITY" 
and, together with the Bank Credit Facility, the "CREDIT FACILITIES") and 
approximately $81,000,000 in funding thereunder will be outstanding at the 
Closing Date (as defined below); and (vii) the proceeds of the foregoing will 
be employed to refinance approximately $219,800,000 of currently outstanding 
indebtedness of the Company (which constitutes all of the existing 
indebtedness of the Company).  
         
                   The Company and the Guarantors wish to confirm as follows
their agreement with the Initial Purchasers in connection with the purchase and
resale of the Series A Securities.
         
                   1.   PRELIMINARY OFFERING MEMORANDUM AND OFFERING
MEMORANDUM.  The Series A Securities will be offered and sold to the Initial
Purchasers without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "SECURITIES ACT"), in reliance on an exemption pursuant to Section 4(2)
under the Securities Act.  The Company has prepared a preliminary offering
memorandum, dated May 21, 1997 (the "PRELIMINARY OFFERING MEMORANDUM"), and an
offering memorandum, dated June 6, 1997 (the "OFFERING MEMORANDUM"), setting
forth information regarding the Company, the Guarantors, the Series A Securities
and the Series B Securities (as defined herein).  Any references herein to the
Preliminary Offering Memorandum and the Offering Memorandum shall be deemed to
include all amendments and supplements thereto.  The Company and the Guarantors
hereby confirm that they have authorized the use of the Preliminary Offering
Memorandum and the Offering Memorandum in connection with the offering and
resale of the Series A Securities by the Initial Purchasers.
         
                   The Company and the Guarantors understand that the Initial
Purchasers propose to make offers and sales (the "EXEMPT RESALES") of the Series
A Securities purchased by the Initial Purchasers hereunder only on the terms and
in the manner set forth in the Offering Memorandum and Section 2 hereof, as soon
as the Initial Purchasers deem advisable after this Agreement has been executed
and 


                                          3

<PAGE>

delivered solely to (i) persons whom the Initial Purchasers reasonably
believe to be qualified institutional buyers ("QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYERS")
as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended
from time to time ("RULE 144A"), (ii) a limited number of other institutional
investors as defined in Rule 501(a) (1), (2), (3) and (7) under the Act, that
make the representations and agreements to the Company specified in Annex A to
the Offering Memorandum in transactions under Rule 144A (each, an "ACCREDITED
INSTITUTION") and (iii) a limited number of other Accredited Investors (each
such person specified in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) being referred to herein as
an "ELIGIBLE PURCHASER").

                   It is understood and acknowledged that upon original
issuance thereof, and until such time as the same is no longer required under
the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Series A Securities (and
all securities issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof) shall
bear the following legend:

         "THE SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) EVIDENCED HEREBY WAS
         ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION
         UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
         (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), AND THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY
         MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE
         ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION
         THEREFROM.  EACH PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY
         IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER MAY BE RELYING ON THE
         EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES
         ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.  THE HOLDER OF THE
         SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE
         COMPANY THAT (A) SUCH SECURITY MAY BE RESOLD, PLEDGED OR
         OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (1) (a) TO A PERSON WHO THE
         SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL
         BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN
         A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (b) IN
         A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144 UNDER THE
         SECURITIES ACT, (c) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A NON-U.S.
         PERSON IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 904
         UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (d) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER
         EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE
         SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IF THE
         COMPANY SO REQUESTS), (2) TO THE COMPANY, OR (3) PURSUANT TO
         AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND, IN EACH CASE, IN
         ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE
         OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION
         AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS
         REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER FROM IT OF THE SECURITY
         EVIDENCED HEREBY OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN (A)
         ABOVE."

                   It is also understood and acknowledged that holders 
(including subsequent transferees) of the Series A Securities will have the 
registration rights set forth in the registration rights agreement (the 
"REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT"), to be dated the Closing Date, in the form 
of Exhibit A hereto, for so long as such Series A Securities constitute 
"TRANSFER RESTRICTED SECURITIES" (as defined in the 


                                          4
<PAGE>

Registration Rights Agreement). Pursuant to the Registration Rights 
Agreement, the Company will agree to file with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission under the circumstances set forth therein, (i) a registration 
statement under the Securities Act relating to the Company's 9 1/2% Series B 
Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the "SERIES B SUBORDINATED NOTES"), the 
Company's 10 1/2% Series B Senior Subordinated Discount Notes due 2007 (the 
"SERIES B SUBORDINATED DISCOUNT NOTES") and the guarantees thereof (the 
"SERIES B SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES") by the Guarantors to be offered in exchange 
for the Series A Securities (the "REGISTERED EXCHANGE OFFER") and (ii) under 
certain circumstances, a shelf registration statement pursuant to Rule 415 
under the Securities Act relating to the resale by certain holders of the 
Series A Securities, and to use its best efforts to cause such registration 
statements to be declared effective.  As used herein, (a) the term "SERIES A 
SECURITIES" shall include the Series A Subsidiary Guarantees thereof by the 
Guarantors, unless the context otherwise requires, (b) the term "SERIES B 
SECURITIES" shall include the Series B Subsidiary Guarantees thereof by the 
Guarantors, unless the context otherwise requires and (c) the Series A 
Securities and the Series B Securities, are hereinafter referred to 
collectively as the "SECURITIES."  This Agreement, the Indentures, the 
Securities, the Series A Subsidiary Guarantees, the Series B Subsidiary 
Guarantees and the Registration Rights Agreement are hereinafter referred to 
collectively as the "OPERATIVE DOCUMENTS."
         
                   2.   AGREEMENTS TO SELL, PURCHASE AND RESELL.  (a) The
Company and the Guarantors hereby agree, on the basis of the representations,
warranties and agreements of the Initial Purchasers contained herein and subject
to all the terms and conditions set forth herein, to issue and sell to the
Initial Purchasers and, upon the basis of the representations, warranties and
agreements of the Company and the Guarantors herein contained and subject to all
the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Initial Purchaser agrees,
severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, (i) at a purchase price
of 97.00% of the principal amount thereof, the aggregate principal amount of
Series A Subordinated Notes and (ii) at a purchase price of 96.50% of the
initial Accreted Value thereof, the aggregate principal amount at maturity of
Series A Discount Notes, in each case, set forth opposite the name of such
Initial Purchaser in Schedule I hereto.  The Company and the Guarantors shall
not be obligated to deliver any of the securities to be delivered hereunder
except upon payment for all of the securities to be purchased as provided
herein.
         
                   (b)  Each of the Initial Purchasers hereby represents and
warrants to the Company and the Guarantors that it will offer the Series A
Securities for sale upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement
and in the Offering Memorandum.  Each of the Initial Purchasers hereby
represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Company and the Guarantors that
such Initial Purchaser (i) is either a QIB or an Accredited Institution, in
either case with such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters
as are necessary in order to evaluate the merits and risks of an investment in
the Series A Securities; (ii) is purchasing the Series A Securities pursuant to
a private sale exempt from registration under the Securities Act; (iii) in
connection with the Exempt Resales, will solicit offers to buy the Series A
Securities only from, and will offer to sell the Series A Securities only to,
the Eligible Purchasers in accordance with this Agreement and on the terms
contemplated by the Offering Memorandum; and (iv) will not offer or sell the
Series A Securities, nor has it offered or sold the Securities by, or otherwise
engaged in, any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the
meaning of Regulation D; including, but not limited to, advertisements,
articles, notices or other communications published in any newspaper, magazine,
or similar medium or broadcast over television or radio, or any seminar or
meeting whose attendees have been invited by any general solicitation or general
advertising) in connection with the offering of the Series A Securities.  The
Initial Purchasers have advised the Company that they will offer the Series A
Subordinated Notes to Eligible Purchasers at a price initially equal to 100% of
the principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest, if any, from the date of
issuance of the Series A Subordinated Notes and the Series A Subordinated
Discount Notes to Eligible Purchasers at a price initially equal to 100% of the
initial Accreted Value thereof, plus accrued interest, if any, from the date of
issuance of the Series A Subordinated Discount Notes.  Such prices may be
changed by the Initial 


                                          5

<PAGE>

Purchasers at any time thereafter without notice.

                   Each of the Initial Purchasers understands that the Company
and the Guarantors and, for purposes of the opinions to be delivered to the
Initial Purchasers pursuant to Sections 7(d), 7(e) and 7(f) hereof, counsel to
the Company and counsel to the Initial Purchasers, will rely upon the accuracy
and truth of the foregoing representations and agreements and each Initial
Purchaser hereby consents to such reliance.
         
                   3.   DELIVERY OF THE SECURITIES AND PAYMENT THEREFOR. 
Delivery to the Initial Purchasers of and payment for the Series A Securities
shall be made at the office of Smith Barney Inc., 388 Greenwich Street, New
York, NY 10013, at 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on June 17, 1997 (the
"CLOSING DATE").  The place of closing for the Series A Securities and the
Closing Date may be varied by agreement between the Initial Purchasers and the
Company. 
         
                   The Series A Securities will be delivered to the Initial
Purchasers against payment of the purchase price therefor in immediately
available funds.  The Series A Senior Subordinated Notes will be evidenced by
one or more global securities in definitive form (the "GLOBAL SENIOR
SUBORDINATED NOTES") and/or by additional definitive securities, and the Series
A Senior Subordinated Discount Notes will be evidenced by one or more global
securities in definitive form (the "GLOBAL SENIOR SUBORDINATED DISCOUNT NOTES"
and, together with the Global Senior Subordinated Notes, the "GLOBAL NOTES")
and/or by additional definitive securities.  The Global Notes will be registered
in the name of Cede & Co. as nominee of The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"),
and other definitive securities will be registered in such names and in such
denominations as the Initial Purchasers shall request prior to 9:30 a.m., New
York City time, on the second business day preceding the Closing Date.  The
Series A Securities to be delivered to the Initial Purchasers shall be made
available to the Initial Purchasers in New York City for inspection and
packaging not later than 9:30 A.M., New York City time, on the business day next
preceding the Closing Date.
         
                   4.   AGREEMENTS OF THE COMPANY AND THE GUARANTORS.  The
Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, represent to and agree with
each Initial Purchaser as follows:
         
                   (a)  The Company and the Guarantors will furnish to the
Initial Purchasers, without charge, such number of copies of the Offering
Memorandum as may then be amended or supplemented as they may reasonably
request, on or prior to 12:00 (noon) on the date following this Agreement. 
         
                   (b)  The Company and the Guarantors will not make any
amendment or supplement to the Preliminary Offering Memorandum or to the
Offering Memorandum of which the Initial Purchasers shall not previously have
been advised or to which they shall reasonably object after being so advised.

                   (c)  Prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
the Company and the Guarantors shall have delivered or will deliver to the
Initial Purchasers, without charge, in such quantities as the Initial Purchasers
shall have reasonably requested or may hereafter reasonably request, copies of
the Preliminary Offering Memorandum.  The Company and each of the Guarantors
consent to the use, in accordance with the securities or Blue Sky laws of the
jurisdictions in which the Series A Securities are offered by the Initial
Purchasers and by dealers, prior to the date of the Offering Memorandum, of each
Preliminary Offering Memorandum so furnished by the Company and the Guarantors. 
The Company and each of the Guarantors consent to the use of the Offering
Memorandum in accordance with the securities or Blue Sky laws of the
jurisdictions in which the Series A Securities are offered by the Initial
Purchasers and by all dealers to whom Series A Securities may be sold, in
connection with the offering and sale of the Series A Securities.
         

                                          6
<PAGE>
                   (d)  If, at any time prior to completion of the distribution
of the Series A Securities by the Initial Purchasers to Eligible Purchasers, any
event shall occur that in the judgment of the Company, any of the Guarantors or
in the opinion of counsel for the Initial Purchasers should be set forth in the
Offering Memorandum in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or if it is necessary
to supplement or amend the Offering Memorandum in order to comply with any law,
the Company and the Guarantors will forthwith prepare an appropriate supplement
or amendment thereto or such document, and will expeditiously furnish to the
Initial Purchasers and dealers a reasonable number of copies thereof.
         
                   (e)  The Company and each of the Guarantors will cooperate
with the Initial Purchasers and with their counsel in connection with the
qualification of the Series A Securities for offering and sale by the Initial
Purchasers and by dealers under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such
jurisdictions as the Initial Purchasers may designate and will file such
consents to service of process or other documents necessary or appropriate in
order to effect such qualification; PROVIDED, that in no event shall the Company
or any of the Guarantors be obligated to qualify to do business in any
jurisdiction where it is not now so qualified or to take any action which would
subject it to (i) service of process in suits, other than those arising out of
the offering or sale of the Series A Securities or (ii) taxation in excess of a
nominal amount, in each case in any jurisdiction where it is not now so subject.
         
                   (f)  So long as any of the Securities are outstanding, the
Company and the Guarantors will furnish to the Initial Purchasers (i) as soon as
available, a copy of each report of the Company mailed to the Trustee or the
holders of the Securities generally or filed with any stock exchange or
regulatory body and (ii) from time to time such other information concerning the
Company and/or the Guarantors as the Initial Purchasers may reasonably request. 

                   (g)  If this Agreement shall terminate or shall be 
terminated after execution and delivery pursuant to any provisions hereof 
(otherwise than by notice given by the Initial Purchasers terminating this 
Agreement pursuant to Section 10 hereof) or if this Agreement shall be 
terminated by the Initial Purchasers because of any failure or refusal on the 
part of the Company or any of the Guarantors to comply with the terms or 
fulfill any of the conditions of this Agreement, the Company and the 
Guarantors agree to reimburse the Initial Purchasers for all out-of-pocket 
expenses (including reasonable fees and expenses of its counsel) reasonably 
incurred by it in connection herewith, but without any further obligation on 
the part of the Company or any of the Guarantors for loss of profits or 
otherwise. 

                   (h)  The Company and the Guarantors will apply the net
proceeds from the sale of the Series A Securities to be sold by it hereunder
substantially in accordance with the description set forth in the Offering
Memorandum under the caption "Use of Proceeds."
         
                   (i)  Except as stated in this Agreement and in the
Preliminary Offering Memorandum and Offering Memorandum, the Company and the
Guarantors have not taken, nor will any of them take, directly or indirectly,
any action designed to or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result
in stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Securities to facilitate
the sale or resale of the Securities.  Except as permitted by the Securities
Act, the Company and the Guarantors will not distribute any offering material in
connection with the Exempt Resales.
         
                   (j)  The Company and the Guarantors will use their best
efforts to permit the Securities to be designated Private Offerings, Resales and
Trading through Automated Linkages ("PORTAL") Market securities in accordance
with the rules and regulations adopted by the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. relating to trading in the PORTAL Market and to permit the
Securities to be eligible for clearance and settlement through DTC.
         

                                          7

<PAGE>

                   (k)  From and after the Closing Date, so long as any of the
Securities are outstanding and are "restricted securities" within the meaning of
the Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act and during any period in which the
Company is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "EXCHANGE ACT"), the Company and the Guarantors will
furnish to holders of the Securities and prospective purchasers of Securities
designated by such holders, upon request of such holders or such prospective
purchasers, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4)
under the Securities Act to permit compliance with Rule 144A in connection with
resale of the Securities.
         
                   (l)  The Company and the Guarantors have complied and will
comply with all provisions of Florida Statutes Section 517.075 relating to
issuers doing business with Cuba.
         
                   (m)  The Company and the Guarantors agree not to sell, offer
for sale or solicit offers to buy or otherwise negotiate in respect of any
security (as defined in the Securities Act) that would be integrated with the
sale of the Series A Securities in a manner that would require the registration
under the Securities Act of the sale to the Initial Purchasers or the Eligible
Purchasers of the Series A Securities.

                   (n)  The Company and the Guarantors agree to comply with all
the terms and conditions of the Registration Rights Agreement and all agreements
set forth in the representation letters of the Company and the Guarantors to DTC
relating to the approval of the Securities by DTC for "book entry" transfer.
         
                   (o)  The Company and the Guarantors agree to cause the
Exchange Offer, if available, to be made in the appropriate form, as
contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement, to permit registration of the
Series B Securities to be offered in exchange for the Series A Securities, and
to comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws in connection
with the Registered Exchange Offer.
         
                   (p)  The Company and the Guarantors agree that prior to any
registration of the Securities pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, or
at such earlier time as may be required, the Indenture shall be qualified under
the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the "TIA") and any necessary supplemental
indentures will be entered into in connection therewith.
         
                   (q)  The Company and the Guarantors will not voluntarily
claim, and will resist actively all attempts to claim, the benefit of any usury
laws against holders of the Securities.
         
                   (r)  The Company and the Guarantors will use their
respective best efforts to do and perform all things required or necessary to be
done and performed under this Agreement by them prior to the Closing Date, and
to satisfy all conditions precedent to the Initial Purchasers' obligations
hereunder to purchase the Series A Securities.
         
                   5.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY AND THE
GUARANTORS.  The Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, represent
and warrant to the Initial Purchasers that:
         
                   (a)  The Preliminary Offering Memorandum and Offering
Memorandum with respect to the Securities have been prepared by the Company and
the Guarantors for use by the Initial Purchasers in connection with the Exempt
Resales.  No order or decree preventing the use of the Preliminary Offering
Memorandum or the Offering Memorandum or any amendment or supplement thereto, or
any order asserting that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are
subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act has been issued
and no proceeding for that purpose has commenced or is pending or, to the
knowledge of the Company and the Guarantors, is contemplated.


                                          8

<PAGE>

                   (b)  The Preliminary Offering Memorandum and the Offering
Memorandum as of their respective dates and the Offering Memorandum as of the
Closing Date, did not or will not at any time contain an untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading, except that this representation and warranty does not apply to
statements in or omissions from the Preliminary Offering Memorandum and Offering
Memorandum made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to
the Initial Purchasers furnished to the Company in writing by or on behalf of
the Initial Purchasers expressly for use therein.
         
                   (c)  The market-related and customer-related data and
estimates included under the captions "Offering Memorandum Summary-The Company"
and "Business" in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum and the Offering
Memorandum are based on or derived from sources which the Company believes to be
reliable and accurate.

                   (d)  The Subordinated Note Indenture has been duly and 
validly authorized by the Company and the Guarantors and, upon its execution, 
delivery and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the 
Subordinated Note Trustee, will constitute the valid and binding agreement of 
the Company and the Guarantors, enforceable in accordance with its terms, 
subject to the qualification that the enforceability of the Company's and the 
Guarantors' obligations thereunder may be limited by bankruptcy, fraudulent 
conveyance, insolvency reorganization, moratorium, and other laws relating to 
or affecting creditors' rights generally and by general equitable principles; 
assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Initial 
Purchasers in Section 2 hereof, no qualification of the Subordinated Note 
Indenture under the TIA is required in connection with the offer and sale of 
the Series A Subordinated Notes contemplated hereby or in connection with the 
Exempt Resales.

                   (e)  The Subordinated Discount Note Indenture has been 
duly and validly authorized by the Company and the Guarantors and, upon its 
execution, delivery and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery 
by the Subordinated Discount Note Trustee, will constitute the valid and 
binding agreement of the Company and the Guarantors, enforceable in 
accordance with its terms, subject to the qualification that the 
enforceability of the Company's and the Guarantors' obligations thereunder 
may be limited by bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency 
reorganization, moratorium, and other laws relating to or affecting 
creditors' rights generally and by general equitable principles; assuming the 
accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Initial Purchasers in 
Section 2 hereof, no qualification of the Subordinated Discount Note 
Indenture under the TIA is required in connection with the offer and sale of 
the Series A Subordinated Discount Notes contemplated hereby or in connection 
with the Exempt Resales.

                   (f)  The Series A Securities have been duly and validly 
authorized by the Company and when issued by the Company in accordance with 
the terms of the applicable Indenture and, assuming due authentication of the 
Series A Securities by the applicable Trustee, upon delivery to the Initial 
Purchasers against payment therefor in accordance with the terms hereof, will 
have been validly issued and delivered, and will constitute valid and binding 
obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits of the applicable 
Indenture, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, 
subject to the qualification that the enforceability of the Company's 
obligations thereunder may be limited by bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, 
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws relating to or 
affecting creditors' rights generally and by general equitable principles.

                   (g)  The Series B Securities have been duly and validly 
authorized by the Company and if and when duly issued and authenticated in 
accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture and delivered in 
accordance with the Exchange Offer provided for in the Registration Rights 
Agreement, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company 
entitled to the benefits of the applicable 

                                          9

<PAGE>

Indenture, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, 
subject to the qualification that the enforceability of the Company's 
obligations thereunder may be limited by bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, 
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws relating to or 
affecting creditors' rights generally and by general equitable principles.  
         
                   (h)  The Series A Subsidiary Guarantees have been duly and
validly authorized by the Guarantors and when duly executed and delivered by the
Guarantors in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture and upon the
due execution, authentication and delivery of the Series A Securities in
accordance with the applicable Indenture and the issuance of the Series A
Securities in the sale to the Initial Purchasers contemplated by this Agreement,
will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Guarantors, enforceable
against the Guarantors in accordance with their terms, subject to the
qualification that the enforceability of the Guarantors' obligations thereunder
may be limited by bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium, and other laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally
and by general equitable principles.
         
                   (i)  The Series B Subsidiary Guarantees have been duly and
validly authorized by the Guarantors and if and when duly executed and delivered
by the Guarantors in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture and
upon the due execution and authentication of the Series B Securities in
accordance with the applicable Indenture and the issuance and delivery of the
Series B Securities in the Exchange Offer contemplated by the Registration
Rights Agreement, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the
Guarantors, enforceable against the Guarantors in accordance with their terms,
subject to the qualification that the enforceability of the Guarantors'
obligations thereunder may be limited by bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws relating to or affecting
creditors' rights generally and by general equitable principles.
         
                   (j)  This Agreement has been duly and validly authorized by
the Company and each of the Guarantors and, when duly executed and delivered by
the Company and each of the Guarantors, will constitute the valid and binding
agreement of the Company and the Guarantors, enforceable in accordance with its
terms, subject to the qualification that the enforceability of the Company's and
the Guarantors' obligations thereunder may be limited by bankruptcy, fraudulent
conveyance, insolvency reorganization, moratorium, and other laws relating to or
affecting creditors' rights generally and by general equitable principles.

                   (k)  The Registration Rights Agreement has been duly and
validly authorized by the Company and each of the Guarantors and, when duly
executed and delivered by the Company and each of the Guarantors, will
constitute the valid and binding agreement of the Company and the Guarantors,
enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the qualification that the
enforceability of the Company's and the Guarantors' obligations thereunder may
be limited by bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency reorganization,
moratorium, and other laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally
and by general equitable principles.
         
                   (l)  The Bank Credit Facility has been duly and validly
authorized by the Company and each of the Guarantors and, when duly executed and
delivered by the Company and each of the Guarantors, will constitute the valid
and binding agreement of the Company and the Guarantors, enforceable in
accordance with its terms, subject to the qualification that the enforceability
of the Company's and the Guarantors' obligations thereunder may be limited by
bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency reorganization, moratorium, and
other laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally and by general
equitable principles.
         
                   (m)  The amended and restated AR Facility (the "AMENDED AND
RESTATED AR FACILITY") has been duly and validly authorized by the Company and,
when the Amended and Restated AR Facility 


                                          10

<PAGE>

has been duly executed and delivered by the Company, the Amended and Restated 
AR Facility, as amended, will constitute the valid and binding agreement of 
the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the 
qualification that the enforceability of the Company's obligations thereunder 
may be limited by bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency 
reorganization, moratorium, and other laws relating to or affecting 
creditors' rights generally and by general equitable principles.
         
                   (n)  The Merger Agreement has been duly and validly
authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and is the valid and binding
agreement of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to
the qualification that the enforceability of the Company's obligations
thereunder may be limited by bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency
reorganization, moratorium, and other laws relating to or affecting creditors'
rights generally and by general equitable principles.  The Merger shall have
been consummated or will, concurrently with the closing of the issuance and sale
of the Series A Securities to the Initial Purchasers hereunder, be consummated
in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement.  All of the certificates
of merger that were required under Delaware law to be filed with the Secretary
of State of the State of Delaware to effect the Merger have been so filed or
will, concurrently with the closing of the issuance and sale of the Series A
Securities to the Initial Purchasers hereunder, be so filed.
         
                   (o)  All the shares of capital stock of the Company
outstanding prior to the issuance of the Series A Securities have been duly
authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable.

                   (p)  The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of Delaware with requisite
corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to
conduct its business as described in the Offering Memorandum, and is duly
registered or qualified to conduct its business and is in good standing in each
jurisdiction or place where the nature of its properties or the conduct of its
business requires such registration or qualification, except where the failure
so to register or qualify does not have a material adverse effect on the
condition (financial or other), business, properties, net worth or results of
operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole (a "MATERIAL
ADVERSE EFFECT").
         
                   (q)  Each Subsidiary is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing in the jurisdiction of its incorporation,
with requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its
properties and to conduct its business as described in the Offering Memorandum,
and is duly registered or qualified to conduct its business and is in good
standing in each jurisdiction or place where the nature of its properties or the
conduct of its business requires such registration or qualification, except
where the failure so to register or qualify or be in good standing does not have
a Material Adverse Effect.  All the outstanding shares of capital stock of each
of the Subsidiaries have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid
and nonassessable, and are wholly owned by the Company directly or indirectly
through one of the other Subsidiaries, free and clear of any lien, adverse
claim, security interest, equity or other encumbrance, except as specifically
described in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the
Offering Memorandum.
         
                   (r)  There are no legal or governmental proceedings pending
or, to the knowledge of the Company or any of the Guarantors, threatened,
against the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or to which the Company or any of
the Subsidiaries or to which any of their respective properties, is subject,
that are not disclosed in the Offering Memorandum and which, if adversely
decided, are reasonably likely to cause a Material Adverse Effect or to
materially affect the issuance of the Securities or the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by the Operative Documents.  The Offering Memorandum
contains accurate summaries of all material agreements, contracts, indentures,
leases or other instruments required to be described or summarized therein. 
Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is 


                                          11

<PAGE>

involved in any strike, job action or labor dispute with any group of 
employees, and, to the Company's or any of the Guarantors' knowledge, no such 
action or dispute is threatened, except for any such strike, action or 
dispute which is not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. 
         
                   (s)  Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is (i)
in violation of its certificate or articles of incorporation or by-laws or other
organizational documents, or of any law, ordinance, administrative or
governmental rule or regulation applicable to the Company or any of the
Subsidiaries or of any decree of any court or governmental agency or body having
jurisdiction over the Company or any of the Subsidiaries except where any such
violation or violations in the aggregate would not have a Material Adverse
Effect or (ii) in default in the performance of any obligation, agreement or
condition contained in any bond, debenture, note or any other evidence of
indebtedness or in any agreement, indenture, lease or other instrument to which
the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them or any
of their respective properties may be bound, except as may be disclosed in the
Offering Memorandum and except where any such default would not have a Material
Adverse Effect. 

                   (t)  None of (i) the issuance, offer, sale or delivery of
the Series A Securities, (ii) the execution, delivery or performance of this
Agreement or the other Operative Documents, (iii) the execution, delivery or
performance of the Merger Agreement, (iv) the execution, delivery or performance
of the Bank Credit Facility, (v) the execution, delivery or performance of the
Amended and Restated AR Facility or (vi) the consummation by the Company and the
Guarantors of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, (x) assuming the
accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Initial Purchasers in
Section 2 hereof, requires any consent, approval, authorization or other order
of, or registration or filing with, any court, regulatory body, administrative
agency or other governmental body, agency or official (except such as may be
required in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of the
Series B Securities in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement,
qualification of the Indentures under the TIA and compliance with the securities
or Blue Sky laws of various jurisdictions), or conflicts or will conflict with
or constitutes or will constitute a breach of, or a default under, the
certificate or articles of incorporation or bylaws, or other organizational
documents, of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or (y) conflicts or will
conflict with or constitutes or will constitute a breach of, or a default under,
any agreement, indenture, lease or other instrument to which the Company or any
of the Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them or any of their
respective properties may be bound, or violates or will violate any statute,
law, regulation or filing or judgment, injunction, order or decree applicable to
the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties, or
except liens created in connection with the Bank Credit Facility and the AR
Facility as disclosed in the Offering Memorandum, will result in the creation or
imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the
Company or any of the Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of any agreement or
instrument to which any of them is a party or by which any of them may be bound
or to which any of the property or assets of any of them is subject except, in
each case under this clause (y), for any such breaches, defaults, violations,
liens, changes or encumbrances that would not have a Material Adverse Effect. 
         
                   (u)  The accountants, Arthur Andersen LLP, who have
certified or shall certify the financial statements included as part of the
Offering Memorandum (or any amendment or supplement thereto), are, with respect
to the Company, independent public accountants under Rule 101 of the AICPA's
Code of Professional Conduct, and its interpretation and rulings.
         
                   (v)  The financial statements (historical and pro forma),
together with related schedules and notes forming part of the Offering
Memorandum, present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial
position, results of operations and changes in stockholders' equity and cash
flows of the Company and the Subsidiaries on the basis stated in the Offering
Memorandum at the respective dates or for the respective periods to which they
apply; such statements and related notes have been 


                                          12

<PAGE>

prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles 
consistently applied throughout the periods involved, except as disclosed 
therein, and meet the requirements of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act 
for registration statements on Form S-1; and the other financial and 
statistical information and data set forth in the Offering Memorandum is 
accurately presented and, to the extent such information and data is derived 
from the financial books and records of the Company, is prepared on a basis 
consistent with such financial statements and the books and records of the 
Company.

                   (w)  Except as disclosed in, or specifically contemplated
by, the Offering Memorandum, subsequent to the respective dates as of which such
information is given in the Offering Memorandum (or any amendment or supplement
thereto), neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries has incurred any
liability or obligation, direct or contingent, or entered into any transaction,
not in the ordinary course of business, that is material to the Company and the
Subsidiaries taken as a whole, and there has not been any material change in the
capital stock, or material increase in the short-term or long-term debt, of the
Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or any material adverse change,
or any development involving or which could reasonably be expected to involve a
prospective material adverse change, in the condition (financial or other),
business, properties, net worth or results of operations of the Company and the
Subsidiaries taken as a whole. 
         
                   (x)  Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries has good and
marketable title to all property (real and personal) described in the Offering
Memorandum as being owned by it, free and clear of all liens, claims, security
interests or other encumbrances except such as are described in the Offering
Memorandum and all the property described in the Offering Memorandum as being
held under lease by each of the Company and the Subsidiaries is held by it under
valid, subsisting and enforceable leases, except, in each case under this
Section 5(x), for such exceptions as in the aggregate are not materially
burdensome and do not interfere in any material respect with the conduct of the
business of the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
         
                   (y)  Except as permitted by the Securities Act, neither the
Company nor any of the Subsidiaries have distributed and, prior to the later to
occur of the Closing Date and completion of the distribution of the Series A
Securities, will not distribute any offering material in connection with the
offering and sale of the Series A Securities other than the Preliminary Offering
Memorandum and Offering Memorandum. 
         
                   (z)  Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries have such
permits, licenses, franchises, certificates of need and other approvals or
authorizations of governmental or regulatory authorities ("PERMITS") as are
necessary under applicable law to own their respective properties and to conduct
their respective businesses in the manner described in the Offering Memorandum,
except to the extent that the failure to have such Permits would not have a
Material Adverse Effect; the Company and each of the Subsidiaries have fulfilled
and performed all their respective obligations with respect to the Permits,
except to the extent that the failure to so fulfill or perform any such
obligations would not have a Material Adverse Effect, and, to the knowledge of
the Company, no event has occurred which allows, or after notice or lapse of
time would allow, revocation or termination thereof or results in any other
material impairment of the rights of the holder of any such Permit, subject in
each case to such qualification as may be set forth in the Offering Memorandum
and except to the extent that any such revocation or termination would not have
a Material Adverse Effect; and, except as described in the Offering Memorandum,
none of the Permits contains any restriction that is materially burdensome to
the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole. 
         
                   (aa) The Company and each of the Subsidiaries have filed all
tax returns required to be filed, and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is
in default in the payment of any taxes which were payable pursuant to said
returns or any assessments with respect thereto, except where the failure


                                          13

<PAGE>

to file such returns and make such payments would not have a Material Adverse 
Effect. 

                   (ab) Except as described in or contemplated by the Offering
Memorandum, there are no outstanding options, warrants or other rights calling
for the issuance of, and there are no commitments to issue, any shares of
capital stock of the Company or any security convertible into or exchangeable or
exercisable for capital stock of the Company. 
         
                   (ac) The Company and each of the Subsidiaries own or possess
all patents, trademarks, trademark registration, service marks, service mark
registrations, trade names, copyrights, licenses, inventions, trade secrets and
rights described in the Offering Memorandum as being owned by any of them or
necessary for the conduct of their respective businesses, except where the
failure to own or possess such rights would not have a Material Adverse Effect,
and the Company is not aware of any claim to the contrary. 
         
                   (ad) The Company and the Guarantors are not and, upon sale
of the Series A Securities to be issued and sold thereby in accordance herewith
and the application of the net proceeds to the Company of such sale as described
in the Offering Memorandum under the caption "Use of Proceeds," will not be an
"investment company" within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended.
         
                   (ae) When the Series A Securities are issued and delivered
pursuant to this Agreement, such Securities will not be of the same class
(within the meaning of Rule 144A(d)(3) under the Securities Act) as any security
of the Company that is listed on a national securities exchange registered under
Section 6 of the Exchange Act or that is quoted in a United States automated
interdealer quotation system.
         
                   (af) Neither the Company nor any affiliate (as defined in
Rule 501(b) of Regulation D ("REGULATION D") under the Securities Act) of the
Company has directly, or through any agent (provided that no representation is
made as to the Initial Purchasers or any person acting on its behalf), (i) sold,
offered for sale, solicited offers to buy or otherwise negotiated in respect of,
any security (as defined in the Securities Act) which is or will be integrated
with the offering and sale of the Series A Securities in a manner that would
require the registration of the Series A Securities under the Securities Act or
(ii) engaged in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within
the meaning of Regulation D) in connection with the offering of the Series A
Securities.

                   (ag) Assuming (i) that the representations and warranties 
in Section 2 hereof are true, (ii) the Initial Purchasers comply with the 
covenants set forth in Section 2 hereof and (iii) that each person to whom 
the Initial Purchasers offer, sell or deliver the Securities is a Qualified 
Institutional Buyer or an Accredited Institution, the purchase and sale of 
the Series A Securities pursuant hereto (including the Initial Purchasers' 
proposed offering of the Series A Securities on the terms and in the manner 
set forth in the Offering Memorandum and Section 2 hereof) is exempt from the 
registration requirements of the Securities Act.
         
                   (ah) The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
other Operative Documents and the sale of the Series Securities to the Initial
Purchasers or by the Initial Purchasers to Eligible Purchasers will not involve
any prohibited transaction within the meaning of Section 406 of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act, as amended, or the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder ("ERISA") or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, including the regulations and published interpretations
thereunder (the "CODE"), except as would not cause a Material Adverse Effect. 
The representation made by the Company in the preceding sentence is made in
reliance upon and subject to the accuracy of, and compliance with, the
representations and covenants made or deemed made by the Eligible Purchasers as
set forth in the Offering Memorandum under the caption entitled "Notice


                                          14

<PAGE>

to Investors."
         
                   (ai) The Company and each of the Subsidiaries is in
compliance in all respects with all presently applicable provisions of ERISA; no
"reportable event" (as defined in ERISA) has occurred with respect to any
"pension plan" (as defined in ERISA) for which the Company or any Subsidiary
would have any liability; none of the Company or any Subsidiary has incurred or
expects to incur liability under (i) Title IV of ERISA with respect to
termination of, or withdrawal from, any "pension plan" or (ii) Sections 412 or
4971 of the Code; and each "pension plan" for which the Company would have any
liability that is intended to be qualified under Section 401 (a) of the Code is
so qualified and nothing has occurred, whether by action or by failure to act,
which would cause the loss of such qualification except, in each case under this
clause (ai), to the extent such non-compliance, occurrence, incurrence,
nonqualification or loss would not have a Material Adverse Effect. 
         
                   (aj) None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has
violated any foreign, federal, state or local law or regulation relating to the
protection of human health and safety, the environment or hazardous or toxic
substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants ("ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS") which
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. 

                   (ak) There is no alleged liability, or to the knowledge of 
the Company, potential liability, (including, without limitation, alleged or 
potential liability or investigatory costs, cleanup costs, governmental 
response costs, natural resource damages, property damages, personal injuries 
or penalties) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries arising out of, based 
on or resulting from (i) the presence or release into the environment of any 
Hazardous Material (as defined herein) at any location, whether or not owned 
by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which could reasonably be expected 
to have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) any violation or alleged violation 
of any Environmental Law by the Company or any Subsidiary, which could 
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect other than as 
disclosed in the Offering Memorandum.  The term "HAZARDOUS MATERIAL" means 
(A) any "hazardous substance" as defined by the Comprehensive Environmental 
Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, (B) any 
"hazardous waste" as defined by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 
as amended, (C) any petroleum or petroleum product, (D) any polychlorinated 
biphenyl and (E) any pollutant or contaminant or hazardous, dangerous or 
toxic chemical, material waste or substance regulated under or within the 
meaning of any other Environmental Law.

                   (al) None of the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement, the issuance and sale of the Series A Securities, the application of
the proceeds from the issuance and sale of the Securities or the Subsidiary
Guarantees and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby as set
forth in the Offering Memorandum, will violate Regulations G, T, U or X
promulgated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. 
         
                   (am) The Company and the Guarantors do not intend to, nor do
they believe that they will, incur debts beyond their ability to pay such debts
as they mature.  The present fair saleable value of the assets of the Company on
a consolidated basis exceeds the amount that will be required to be paid on or
in respect of the existing debts and other liabilities (including contingent
liabilities) of the Company on a consolidated basis as they become absolute and
matured.  The assets of the Company on a consolidated basis do not constitute
unreasonably small capital to carry out the business of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as conducted or as proposed to be conducted. 
Upon the issuance of the Series A Securities, the present fair saleable value of
the assets of the Company on a consolidated basis will exceed the amount that
will be required to be paid on or in respect of the existing debts and other
liabilities (including contingent liabilities) of the Company on a consolidated
basis as they become absolute and matured.  Upon the issuance of the Series A
Securities, the assets of the Company on a consolidated basis will not
constitute unreasonably small capital to carry out its businesses as now


                                          15

<PAGE>

conducted, including the capital needs of the Company on a consolidated 
basis, taking into account the projected capital requirements and capital 
availability.
         
                   6.   INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION.  (a)  The Company and
the Guarantors, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless each
Initial Purchaser and each person, if any, who controls a Initial Purchaser
within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the
Exchange Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities
and expenses (including reasonable costs of investigation) arising out of or
based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum or Offering Memorandum or in
any amendment or supplement thereto, or arising out of or based upon any
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
except insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses arise
out of or are based upon any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue
statement or omission which has been made therein or omitted therefrom in
reliance upon and in conformity with the information relating to the Initial
Purchasers furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of the Initial
Purchasers expressly for use in connection therewith.  The foregoing indemnity
agreement shall be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise
have.

                   (b)  If any action, suit or proceeding shall be brought 
against the Initial Purchasers or any person controlling the Initial 
Purchasers in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the Company or 
any Guarantor, the Initial Purchasers or such controlling person shall 
promptly notify the parties against whom indemnification is being sought (the 
"INDEMNIFYING PARTIES"), and such indemnifying parties shall assume the 
defense thereof, including the employment of counsel and payment of all fees 
and expenses.  The Initial Purchasers or any such controlling person shall 
have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action, suit or 
proceeding and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and 
expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of the Initial Purchasers or 
such controlling person unless (i) the indemnifying parties have agreed in 
writing to pay such fees and expenses, (ii) the indemnifying parties have 
failed to assume the defense and employ counsel, or (iii) the named parties 
to any such action, suit or proceeding (including any impleaded parties) 
include both the Initial Purchasers or such controlling person and the 
indemnifying parties and the Initial Purchasers or such controlling person 
shall have been advised by its counsel that representation of such 
indemnified party and any indemnifying party by the same counsel would be 
inappropriate under applicable standards of professional conduct (whether or 
not such representation by the same counsel has been proposed) due to actual 
or potential differing interests between them (in which case the indemnifying 
party shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action, suit or 
proceeding on behalf of the Initial Purchasers or such controlling person).  
It is understood, however, that the indemnifying parties shall, in connection 
with any one such action, suit or proceeding or separate but substantially 
similar or related actions, suits or proceedings in the same jurisdiction 
arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for 
the reasonable fees and expenses of only one separate firm of attorneys (in 
addition to any local counsel) at any time for the Initial Purchasers and 
controlling persons not having actual or potential differing interests with 
the Initial Purchasers or among themselves, which firm shall be designated in 
writing by Smith Barney Inc., and that all such fees and expenses shall be 
reimbursed on a monthly basis to the extent provided in paragraph (a) hereof. 
 The indemnifying parties shall not be liable for any settlement of any such 
action, suit or proceeding effected without their written consent, but if 
settled with such written consent, or if there be a final judgment for the 
plaintiff in any such action, suit or proceeding, the indemnifying parties 
agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Initial Purchasers, to the extent 
provided in paragraph (a), and any such controlling person from and against 
any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense by reason of such settlement or 
judgment. 
         
                   (c)  The Initial Purchasers, severally and not jointly,
agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the Guarantors, and their
respective directors and officers, and any person 


                                          16

<PAGE>

who controls the Company or any Guarantor within the meaning of Section 15 of 
the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as 
the indemnity from the Company and the Guarantors to the Initial Purchasers 
set forth in paragraph (a) hereof, but only with respect to information 
relating to the Initial Purchasers furnished in writing by or on behalf of 
the Initial Purchasers expressly for use in the Preliminary Offering 
Memorandum or Offering Memorandum or any amendment or supplement thereto.  If 
any action, suit or proceeding shall be brought against the Company or any 
Guarantor, any of their respective directors or officers, or any such 
controlling person based on the Preliminary Offering Memorandum or Offering 
Memorandum, or any amendment or supplement thereto, and in respect of which 
indemnity may be sought against the Initial Purchasers pursuant to this 
paragraph (c), the Initial Purchasers shall have the rights and duties given 
to the Company and the Guarantors by paragraph (b) above (except that if the 
Company and the Guarantors shall have assumed the defense thereof the Initial 
Purchasers shall not be required to do so, but may employ separate counsel 
therein and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of 
such counsel shall be at the Initial Purchasers' expense), and the Company 
and the Guarantors, their respective directors and officers, and any such 
controlling person shall have the rights and duties given to the Initial 
Purchasers by paragraph (b) above.  The foregoing indemnity agreement shall 
be in addition to any liability which the Initial Purchasers may otherwise 
have.

                   (d)  If the indemnification provided for in this Section 6
is unavailable to an indemnified party under paragraphs (a) or (c) hereof in
respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to
therein, then an indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified
party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party
as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (i) in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the
Company on the one hand and the Initial Purchasers on the other hand from the
offering of the Series A Securities, or (ii) if the allocation provided by
clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i)
above but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Initial
Purchasers on the other in connection with the statements or omissions that
resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as
any other relevant equitable considerations.  The relative benefits received by
the Company on the one hand and the Initial Purchasers on the other shall be
deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering
(before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to the total
underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Initial Purchasers, in
each case as set forth in the table on the cover page of the Offering
Memorandum.  The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Initial
Purchasers on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other
things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the
omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information
supplied by the Company on the one hand or by the Initial Purchasers on the
other hand and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information
and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. 
         
                   (e)  The Company, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers
agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this
Section 6 were determined by a pro rata allocation or by any other method of
allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred
to in paragraph (d) above.  The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party
as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to
in paragraph (d) above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations
set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such
indemnified party in connection with investigating any claim or defending any
such action, suit or proceeding.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section
6, the Initial Purchasers shall not be required to contribute any amount in
excess of the amount by which the total price of the Series A Securities
purchased by it and resold pursuant to Section 2 exceeds the amount of any
damages which the Initial Purchasers have otherwise been required to pay by
reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or 


                                          17

<PAGE>

omission or alleged omission.  No person guilty of fraudulent 
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) 
shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such 
fraudulent misrepresentation. 

                   (f)  Any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses
for which an indemnified party is entitled to indemnification or contribution
under this Section 6 shall be paid by the indemnifying party to the indemnified
party as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are incurred. 
The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section 6 and the
representations and warranties of the Company and the Guarantors set forth in
this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless
of (i) any investigation made by or on behalf of the Initial Purchasers or any
person controlling the Initial Purchasers, the Company, the Guarantors, their
respective directors or officers or any person controlling the Company or any
Guarantor, (ii) acceptance of any Series A Securities and payment therefor
hereunder, and (iii) any termination of this Agreement.  A successor to the
Initial Purchasers or any person controlling the Initial Purchasers, or to the
Company, the Guarantors, their respective directors or officers or any person
controlling the Company or any Guarantor, shall be entitled to the benefits of
the indemnity, contribution and reimbursement agreements contained in this
Section 6. 
         
                   (g)  No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written
consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or
threatened action, suit or proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party
is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by
such indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release
of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject
matter of such action, suit or proceeding.
         
                   7.   CONDITIONS OF THE INITIAL PURCHASER'S OBLIGATIONS.  The
obligations of the Initial Purchasers to purchase the Securities hereunder are
subject to the following conditions:
         
                   (a)  At the time of execution of this Agreement and on the
Closing Date, no order or decree preventing the use of the Offering Memorandum
or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any order asserting that the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement are subject to the registration
requirements of the Securities Act shall have been issued and no proceedings for
that purpose shall have been commenced or shall be pending or, to the knowledge
of the Company or any of the Guarantors, be contemplated.  No stop order
suspending the sale of the Series A Securities in any jurisdiction designated by
the Initial Purchasers shall have been issued and no proceedings for that
purpose shall have been commenced.

                   (b)  Subsequent to the date as of which information is 
given in the Offering Memorandum, except as otherwise stated in the Offering 
Memorandum, there shall not have occurred (i) any change, or any development 
involving a prospective change, in or affecting the condition (financial or 
other), business, properties, net worth or results of operations of the 
Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, except as specifically 
contemplated by the Offering Memorandum, which in the opinion of the Initial 
Purchasers, would materially adversely affect the market for the Series A 
Securities, or (ii) any event or development relating to or involving the 
Company or the Guarantors or any officer or director of the Company or the 
Guarantors which makes any statement of a material fact made in the Offering 
Memorandum untrue or which, in the opinion of the Company and its counsel or 
the Initial Purchasers and their counsel, requires the making of any addition 
to or change in the Offering Memorandum in order to state a material fact 
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the 
circumstance under which they were made, not misleading, if amending or 
supplementing the Offering Memorandum to reflect such event or development 
would, in the opinion of the Initial Purchasers, materially adversely affect 
the market for the Series A Securities.

                   (c)  The final Offering Memorandum shall have been printed
and copies thereof 


                                          18

<PAGE>

distributed to the Initial Purchasers in such quantities as shall have been 
previously specified by them not later than 12:00 p.m. New York City time, on 
June 7, 1997, or at such later date and time as the Initial Purchasers may 
approve in writing.
         
                   (d)  The Initial Purchasers shall have received on the
Closing Date an opinion of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, counsel for the Company,
dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Initial Purchasers, to the effect
that:
         
         (i)  The Company is a corporation duly incorporated and existing in
    good standing under the laws of Delaware with the requisite corporate power
    and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its
    business as described in the Offering Memorandum (and any amendment or
    supplement thereto);
         
         (ii) Each of the Guarantors is a corporation duly organized and
    existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
    organization, with the requisite corporate power and authority to own,
    lease, and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described
    in the Offering Memorandum (and any amendment or supplement thereto); 
         
         (iii)     Each of the Company and the Guarantors has the requisite
    corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to issue,
    sell and deliver the Securities to be sold by it to the Initial Purchasers
    as provided herein;
         
         (iv) Each of the Company and the Guarantors has the requisite
    corporate power and authority to enter into the Registration Rights
    Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement has been duly authorized,
    executed and delivered by the Company and each of the Guarantors and is the
    valid, legal and binding agreement of the Company and each of the
    Guarantors, enforceable against each of them in accordance with its terms,
    except (A) as enforcement of rights to indemnity and contribution hereunder
    and thereunder may be limited by Federal or state securities laws or
    principles of public policy and (B) subject to the qualification that the
    enforceability of the Company's and each of the Guarantors' obligations
    hereunder and thereunder may be limited by bankruptcy, fraudulent
    conveyance, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws relating
    to or affecting creditors' rights generally and by general equitable
    principles;

      (v)  The Subordinated Note Indenture has been duly and validly
    authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming due
    authorization, execution and delivery by the Subordinated Note Trustee, is
    a valid and binding agreement of the Company and the Guarantors,
    enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the qualification that
    the enforceability of the Company's and the Guarantors' obligations
    thereunder may be limited by bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency,
    reorganization, moratorium, and other laws relating to or affecting
    creditors' rights generally and by general equitable principles; no
    qualification of the Subordinated Note Indenture under the TIA is required
    in connection with the offer and sale of the Subordinated Notes
    contemplated hereby or in connection with the Exempt Resales;
         
         (vi) The Subordinated Discount Note Indenture has been duly and
    validly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming due
    authorization, execution and delivery by the Subordinated Discount Note
    Trustee, is a valid and binding agreement of the Company and the
    Guarantors, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the
    qualification that the enforceability of the Company's and the Guarantors'
    obligations thereunder may be limited by bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance,
    insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws relating to or
    affecting creditors' rights generally and by general equitable principles;
    no 


                                          19

<PAGE>

    qualification of the Subordinated Discount Note Indenture under the TIA
    is required in connection with the offer and sale of the Subordinated
    Discount Notes contemplated hereby or in connection with the Exempt
    Resales;
         
         (vii)     The Series A Securities have been duly and validly
    authorized by the Company and when duly executed by the Company in
    accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture and, assuming due
    authentication of the Series A Securities by the applicable Trustee, upon
    delivery to the Initial Purchasers against payment therefor in accordance
    with the terms hereof, will have been validly issued and delivered, and
    will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company entitled to
    the benefits of the applicable Indenture, enforceable against the Company
    in accordance with their terms, subject to the qualification that the
    enforceability of the Company's obligations thereunder may be limited by
    bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium,
    and other laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally and by
    general equitable principles;

         (viii)    The Series B Securities have been duly and validly
    authorized by the Company and if and when duly issued and authenticated in
    accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture and delivered in
    accordance with the Exchange Offer provided for in the Registration Rights
    Agreement, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company
    entitled to the benefits of the applicable Indenture, enforceable against
    the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to the qualification
    that the enforceability of the Company's obligations thereunder may be
    limited by bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency, reorganization,
    moratorium, and other laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights
    generally and by general equitable principles;

        (ix) The Series A Subsidiary Guarantees have been duly and validly
    authorized by the Guarantors and when duly executed and delivered by the
    Guarantors in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture and
    upon the due execution, authentication and delivery of the Series A
    Securities in accordance with the applicable Indenture and the issuance of
    the Series A Securities in the sale to the Initial Purchasers contemplated
    by this Agreement, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the
    Guarantors, enforceable against the Guarantors in accordance with their
    terms, subject to the qualification that the enforceability of the
    Guarantors' obligations thereunder may be limited by bankruptcy, fraudulent
    conveyance, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws relating
    to or affecting creditors' rights generally and by general equitable
    principles;
         
         (x)  The Series B Subsidiary Guarantees have been duly and validly
    authorized by the Guarantors and, if and when duly executed and delivered
    by the Guarantors in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture
    and upon the due execution, authentication and delivery of the Series B
    Securities in accordance with the applicable Indenture and the issuance and
    delivery of the Series B Securities in the Exchange Offer contemplated by
    the Registration Rights Agreement, will constitute valid and binding
    obligations of the Guarantors, enforceable against the Guarantors in
    accordance with their terms, subject to the qualification that the
    enforceability of the Guarantors' obligations thereunder may be limited by
    bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium,
    and other laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally and by
    general equitable principles;
         
         (xi) The Merger Agreement has been duly and validly authorized,
    executed and delivered by the Company and is a valid and binding agreement
    of the Company, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms,
    subject to the qualification that the enforceability of the Company's
    obligations thereunder may be limited by bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance,


                                          20

<PAGE>

    insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws relating to or
    affecting creditors' rights generally and by general equitable principles;
         
         (xii)     None of (i) the issuance, offer, sale or delivery of the
    Series A Securities by the Company and the Guarantors, (ii) the execution,
    delivery or performance of this Agreement or the other Operative Documents,
    (iii) the execution, delivery or performance of the Merger Agreement or
    (iv) the consummation by the Company and the Guarantors of the transactions
    contemplated hereby or thereby, (x) requires any consent, approval,
    authorization or other order of, or registration or filing with, any court,
    regulatory body, administrative agency or other governmental body, agency
    or official (except such as may be required in connection with the
    registration under the Securities Act of the Securities in accordance with
    the Registration Rights Agreement, qualification of the Indentures under
    the TIA and compliance with the securities or Blue Sky laws of various
    jurisdictions and except where the failure to obtain any such consent,
    approval, authorization or order, or to effect such registration or to make
    such filing, would not have a Material Adverse Effect), or conflicts or
    will conflict with or constitutes or will constitute a breach of, or a
    default under, the certificate or articles of incorporation or bylaws of
    the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or (y) conflicts or will conflict
    with or constitutes or will constitute a breach of, or a default under, in
    any material respect, any agreement, indenture, lease or instrument
    identified to such counsel in a certificate of the Company (attached as an
    exhibit to such opinion) as being material to the Company and
    the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, to which the Company or any of the
    Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them or any of their respective
    properties may be bound, or violates or will violate in any material
    respect any statute, law or regulation that in our experience is generally
    applicable to the transactions contemplated hereby or to our knowledge any
    judgment, injunction, order or decree applicable to the Company or any of
    the Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties, or except liens
    created in connection with the Bank Credit Facility and the AR Facility as
    disclosed in the Offering Memorandum will result in the creation or
    imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets
    of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of any
    agreement or instrument identified to such counsel in a certificate of the
    Company (attached as an exhibit to such opinion) as being material to the
    Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, to which any of them is a
    party or by which any of them may be bound or to which any of the property
    or assets of any of them is subject except in each case under this clause
    (y) for conflicts, breaches, defaults and other events which would not have
    a Material Adverse Effect;
         
         (xiii)    To the knowledge of such counsel, (A) other than as
    described or contemplated in the Offering Memorandum (or any supplement
    thereto), there are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or
    threatened against the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or to which the
    Company or any of the Subsidiaries or any of their properties, are subject,
    which are not disclosed in the Offering Memorandum and which, if adversely
    decided, are reasonably likely to cause a Material Adverse Effect or
    materially affects the issuance of the Securities or the consummation of
    the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (B) based solely upon
    such counsel's review of the corporate records, minute books and charter
    documents of the Company and the Subsidiaries and of those agreements and
    instruments identified to such counsel in a certificate of the Company
    (attached as an exhibit to such opinion) as being material to the Company
    and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, there are no agreements, contracts,
    indentures, leases or instruments which are material to the Company and the
    Subsidiaries taken as a whole that are not described in the Offering
    Memorandum (or any amendment or supplement thereto);
         
         (xiv)     The statements under the captions "Risk Factors" and
    "Business," in the Offering Memorandum, insofar as they are descriptions of
    contracts, agreements or other legal documents, or refer to statements of
    law or legal conclusions, to the knowledge of such counsel, are accurate
    

                                          21
<PAGE>

    in all material respects; the statements in the Offering Memorandum under 
    the caption "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences," to the extent they
    constitute matters of law or regulation or legal conclusions, fairly
    summarize the matters described therein in all material respects;
         
         (xv) When the Series A Securities are issued and delivered to the
    Initial Purchasers pursuant to this Agreement, such Series A Securities
    will not be of the same class (within the meaning of Rule 144A(d)(3) under
    the Securities Act) as any security of the Company that is listed on a
    national securities exchange registered under Section 6 of the Exchange Act
    or that is quoted in a United States automated interdealer quotation
    system;

         (xvi)     No registration of the Series A Securities under the
    Securities Act is required for the sale of the Series A Securities to the
    Initial Purchasers as contemplated in this Agreement or for the Exempt
    Resales (assuming (A) that any Eligible Purchaser who buys the Series A
    Securities in the Exempt Resales is a Qualified Institutional Buyer or
    Accredited Institution, (B) the accuracy of the Initial Purchasers'
    representations and those of the Company and the Guarantors in this
    Agreement and compliance by them with their respective agreements contained
    herein and (C) the accuracy of the representations made by each Accredited
    Institution who purchases Series A Securities pursuant to an Exempt Resale
    as set forth in the letter of representation executed by such Accredited
    Institution in the form of Annex A to the Offering Memorandum (it being
    understood that no opinion is being expressed as to any resale subsequent
    to the Exempt Resales or any resale of securities by any person other than
    the Initial Purchasers));
         
         (xvii) The Company and the Guarantors are not required to deliver the
    information specified in Rule 144A(d)(4) in connection with the offering
    and resale of the Series Securities by the Initial Purchasers; and
         
                   In addition, such counsel shall also state that such counsel
has participated in conferences with officers and representatives of the
Company, representatives of the independent public accountants for the Company
and the Initial Purchasers at which the contents of the Offering Memorandum and
related matters were discussed and, although such counsel is not passing upon
and does not assume any responsibility for and has not verified the accuracy,
completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the Offering Memorandum,
and has not made any independent check or verification thereof, on the basis of
the foregoing (relying as to materiality to the extent such counsel deemed
appropriate upon facts provided by officers and other representatives of the
Company and the Guarantors), no facts have come to the attention of such counsel
that lead such counsel to believe that the Offering Memorandum, as of its date
or as of the Closing Date, contained or contains any untrue statement of
material fact or omitted or omits to state any material fact necessary to make
the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading (it being understood that such counsel need express no
belief or opinion with respect to the financial statements and other financial
and statistical data included therein). 

                   The opinion of such counsel may be limited to the laws of
the state of New York, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and
the federal laws of the United States.  
         
                   (e)  The Initial Purchasers shall have received on the
Closing Date an opinion of Gus J. Athas Esq., General Counsel of the Company,
dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Initial Purchasers to the effect
that:
         
         (i)  The Company is duly registered and qualified to conduct its
    business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in each
    jurisdiction or place where the nature of its properties or the conduct of
    its business requires such registration or qualification, except where 


                                          22

<PAGE>

    the failure so to register or qualify or to be in good standing does not 
    have a Material Adverse Effect.  Each Subsidiary is duly registered and 
    qualified to conduct its business and is in good standing as a foreign 
    corporation in each jurisdiction or place where the nature of its 
    properties or the conduct of its business requires such registration or
    qualification, except where the failure so to register or qualify or to be
    in good standing does not have a Material Adverse Effect;

         (ii) The capitalization of the Company is as set forth under the
    caption "Capitalization" in the Offering Memorandum and the authorized
    capital stock of the Company is as set forth in an exhibit to be attached
    to such opinion; 
         
         (iii)     All the outstanding shares of capital stock of each of the
    Subsidiaries have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid
    and nonassessable, and to the knowledge of such counsel, are wholly owned
    by the Company directly, or indirectly through one of the other
    Subsidiaries, free and clear of any security interest, lien, adverse claim,
    equity or other encumbrance, except as specifically described in the
    Offering Memorandum under the caption "Description of Other Debt";
         
         (iv) Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is in violation
    in any material respect of its respective certificate or articles of
    incorporation or bylaws, or other organizational documents, or to the best
    knowledge of such counsel after reasonable inquiry, is in default in any
    material respect in the performance of any material obligation, agreement
    or condition contained in any bond, debenture, note or other evidence of
    indebtedness or in any material agreement, indenture, lease or other
    instrument to which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is a party or by
    which any of them or any of their respective properties may be bound,
    except as disclosed in the Offering Memorandum and except to the extent
    that any such violation or default would not have a Material Adverse
    Effect; and
         
         (v)  None of (i) the issuance, offer, sale or delivery of the Series A
    Securities by the Company and the Guarantors, (ii) the execution, delivery
    or performance of this Agreement or the other Operative Documents, (iii)
    the execution, delivery or performance of the Merger Agreement or (iv) the
    consummation by the Company and the Guarantors of the transactions
    contemplated hereby or thereby, (x) requires any consent, approval,
    authorization or other order of, or registration or filing with, any court,
    regulatory body, administrative agency or other governmental body, agency
    or official (except such as may be required in connection with the
    registration under the Securities Act of the Securities in accordance with
    the Registration Rights Agreement, qualification of the Indentures under
    the TIA and compliance with the securities or Blue Sky laws of various
    jurisdictions and except where the failure to obtain any such consent,
    approval authorization or order, or to effect such registration or to make
    such filing, would not have a Material Adverse Effect), or conflicts or
    will conflict with or constitutes or will constitute a breach of, or a
    default under, the certificate or articles of incorporation or bylaws of
    the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or (y) conflicts or will conflict
    with or constitutes or will constitute a breach of, or a default under, in
    any material respect, any material agreement, indenture, lease or other
    instrument to which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is a party or by
    which any of them or any of their respective properties may be bound, or
    violates or will violate in any material respect any statute, law,
    regulation or filing or judgment, injunction, order or decree applicable to
    the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or any of their respective
    properties, or except liens created in connection with the Bank Credit 
    Facility and the AR Facility as disclosed in the Offering Memorandum will
    result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance 
    upon any property or assets of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries 
    pursuant to the terms of any agreement or instrument to which any of them
    is a party or by which any of them may be bound or to which any of the 
    property or assets of any of them is subject,


                                          23
<PAGE>

    except in each case under this clause (y) for conflicts, breaches, defaults
    and other events which would not have a Material Adverse Effect;

         (vi) The statements under the caption "Management" in the Offering
    Memorandum, insofar as they are descriptions of contracts, agreements or
    other legal documents, or refer to statements of law or legal conclusions,
    are accurate in all material respects and present fairly the information
    required to be shown;
         
         (vii)     To the best knowledge of such counsel after reasonable
    inquiry, neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is in violation of
    any law, ordinance, administrative or governmental rule or regulation
    applicable to the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or of any decree of
    any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the
    Company or any of the Subsidiaries, except to the extent that any such
    violation would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
         
         (viii)    The Company and the Subsidiaries have all Permits that are
    required under applicable law to own their respective properties and to
    conduct their respective businesses as now being conducted as described in
    the Offering Memorandum except where the failure to have any such Permits
    would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse
    Effect;
         
                   In addition, such counsel shall also state that such counsel
has participated in conferences with officers and representatives of the Company
and the Guarantors, representatives of the independent public accountants for
the Company and the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers at which the contents
of the Offering Memorandum and related matters were discussed and, although such
counsel is not passing upon and does not assume any responsibility for and has
not verified the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained
in the Offering Memorandum, and has not made any independent check or
verification thereof, on the basis of the foregoing (relying as to materiality
to the extent such counsel deemed appropriate upon facts provided by officers
and other representatives of the Company and the Guarantors), no facts have come
to the attention of such counsel that lead such counsel to believe that the
Offering Memorandum, as of its date or as of the Closing Date, contained or
contains any untrue statement of material fact or omitted or omits to state any
material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (it being understood
that such counsel need express no belief or opinion with respect to the
financial statements and other financial and statistical data included therein).

                   (f)  The Initial Purchasers shall have received on the
Closing date an opinion, of Latham & Watkins, counsel for the Initial
Purchasers, dated the Closing date, and addressed to the Initial Purchasers,
with respect to the Offering Memorandum and such other
related matters as the Initial Purchasers may reasonably request, and such
counsel shall have received such certificates, documents and information as they
may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters.
         
                   (g)  The Initial Purchasers shall have received letters
addressed to the Initial Purchasers, and dated the date hereof and the Closing
Date from Arthur Andersen, LLP, independent certified public accountants,
substantially in the forms heretofore approved by the Initial Purchasers. 
         
                   (h)       Acquisition Corp shall have received, or will,
concurrently with the closing of the issuance and sale of the Series A
Securities to the Initial Purchasers hereunder, receive no less than $134.6
million of proceeds resulting from the Equity Funding.
         
                   (i)  The Company and the Guarantors shall have entered into
the Bank Credit Facility (the form and substance of which shall be reasonably
acceptable to the Initial Purchasers in all material  


                                          24
<PAGE>

respects) and the Initial Purchasers shall have received counterparts, 
conformed as executed, thereof and of all other documents and agreements 
entered into in connection therewith.
         
                   (j)  Each material condition to the closing contemplated by
the Bank Credit Facility (other than the issuance and sale of the Series A
Securities pursuant hereto and the closing under the Amended and Restated AR
Facility) shall have been satisfied or, with the written consent of each of the
Initial Purchasers, waived.  There shall exist at and as of the Closing Date
(after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the
Amended and Restated AR Facility and the Merger Agreement) no conditions that
would constitute a default (or an event that with notice or the lapse of time,
or both, would constitute a default) under the Bank Credit Facility.  On the
Closing Date, the closing under the Bank Credit Facility shall have been
consummated or will, concurrently with the closing of the issuance and sale of
the Series A Securities to the Initial Purchasers hereunder, be consummated on
terms that conform in all material respects to the description thereof in the
Offering Memorandum and the Initial Purchasers shall have received evidence
satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers of the consummation thereof.
         
                   (k)  The Merger Agreement shall have been duly executed and
delivered and the Merger shall have been consummated.  The Recapitalization
shall have been consummated or will, concurrently with the closing of the
issuance and sale of the Series A Securities to the Initial Purchasers
hereunder, be consummated on terms that conform in all material respects to the
description thereof in the Offering Memorandum and the Initial Purchasers shall
have received evidence satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers of the
consummation thereof.  The Company shall have delivered or shall deliver, as
soon as reasonably practicable, to the Initial Purchasers copies of all of the
certificates of merger that were required under Delaware law to effect the
Merger, as certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

                   (l)(i) There shall not have been any material change in the
capital stock of the Company nor any material increase in the short-term or
long-term debt of the Company (other than in the ordinary course of business)
from that set forth or contemplated in the Offering Memorandum (or any amendment
or supplement thereto); (ii) there shall not have been, since the respective
dates as of which information is given in the Offering Memorandum (or any
amendment or supplement thereto), except as may otherwise be stated in the
Offering Memorandum (or any amendment or supplement thereto), any material
adverse change in the condition (financial or other), business, properties, net
worth or results of operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a
whole; and (iii) all the representations and warranties of the Company and the
Guarantors contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material
respects on and as of the date hereof and on and as of the Closing Date as if
made on and as of the Closing Date, and the Initial Purchasers shall have
received a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by the chief executive
officer and the chief accounting officer of the Company (or such other officers
as are acceptable to the Initial Purchasers), to the effect set forth in this
Section 7(l) and in Section 7(m) hereof. 
         
                   (m)  Neither the Company, in any material respect, nor any
Guarantor shall have failed at or prior to the Closing Date to have performed or
complied with any of its agreements herein contained and required to be
performed or complied with by it hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date.
         
                   (n)  There shall not have been any announcement by any
"nationally recognized statistical rating organization," as defined for purposes
of Rule 436(g) under the Securities Act, that (i) it is downgrading its rating
assigned to any debt securities of the Company, or (ii) it is reviewing its
ratings assigned to any debt securities of the Company with a view to possible
downgrading, or with negative implications, or direction not determined.
         

                                          25

<PAGE>

                   (o)  The Series A Securities shall have been approved for
trading on PORTAL.
         
                   (p)  The Company shall have furnished or caused to be
furnished to the Initial Purchasers such further certificates and documents as
the Initial Purchasers shall have reasonably requested. 
         
                   All such opinions, certificates, letters and other documents
will be in compliance with the provisions hereof only if they are reasonably
satisfactory in form and substance to the Initial Purchasers and counsel for the
Initial Purchasers.  Any certificate or document signed by any officer of the
Company or any Guarantor and delivered to the Initial Purchasers, or to counsel
for the Initial Purchasers, shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the
Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, to the Initial Purchasers as to
the statements made therein. 

                   8.   EXPENSES.  The Company and the Guarantors agree to pay
the following costs and expenses and all other costs and expenses incident to
the performance by it of its obligations hereunder: (i) the preparation,
printing or reproduction of the Offering Memorandum (including financial
statements thereto), and each amendment or supplement to any of them, this
Agreement and the Indentures; (ii) the printing (or reproduction) and delivery
(including postage, air freight charges and charges for counting and packaging)
of such copies of the Offering Memorandum, the Preliminary Offering Memorandum,
and all amendments or supplements to any of them as may be reasonably requested
for use in connection with the offering and sale of the Series A Securities;
(iii) the preparation, printing, authentication, issuance and delivery of
certificates for the Series A Securities, including any stamp taxes in
connection with the original issuance and sale of the Series A Securities; (iv)
the printing (or reproduction) and delivery of this Agreement, the preliminary
and supplemental Blue Sky Memoranda and all other agreements or documents
printed (or reproduced) and delivered in connection with the offering of the
Series A Securities; (v) the application for quotation of the Series A
Securities on the PORTAL market; (vi) the qualification of the Series A
Securities for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of the
several states as provided in Section 4(e) hereof (including the reasonable
fees, expenses and disbursements of counsel for the Initial Purchasers relating
to the preparation, printing or reproduction, and delivery of the preliminary
and supplemental Blue Sky Memoranda and such qualification); (vii) the
performance by the Company of its obligations under the Registration Rights
Agreement; and (viii) the fees and expenses of the Company's accountants and the
fees and expenses of counsel (including local and special counsel) for the
Company.  The Company hereby agrees that it will pay in full on the Closing Date
the fees and expenses referred to in clause (vi) of this Section 8 by delivering
to counsel for the Initial Purchasers on such date a check payable to such
counsel in the requisite amount.
         
                   9.   EFFECTIVE DATE OF AGREEMENT.  This Agreement shall
become effective upon the execution and delivery hereof by all the parties
hereto.
           
                   10.  TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT.  This Agreement shall be
subject to termination in the absolute discretion of the Initial Purchasers,
without liability on the part of the Initial Purchasers to the Company, by
notice to the Company, if prior to the Closing Date (i) trading in securities
generally on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or the
Nasdaq National Market shall have been suspended or materially limited, (ii) a
general moratorium on commercial banking activities in New York shall have been
declared, or (iii) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of
hostilities or other U.S. or international calamity, crisis or change in
political, financial or economic conditions, the effect of which on the
financial markets of the United States is such as to make it, in the judgment of
the Initial Purchasers, impracticable or inadvisable to commence or continue the
offering of the Series A Securities on the terms set forth on the cover page of
the Offering Memorandum or to enforce contracts for the resale of the Series A
Securities by the Initial Purchasers.  Notice of such termination may be given
to the Company by telegram, telecopy or telephone and shall be subsequently
confirmed by letter. 


                                          26

<PAGE>

                   11.  INFORMATION FURNISHED BY THE INITIAL PURCHASERS.  The
statements set forth in the stabilization legend on the inside front cover, the
last paragraph on the cover page of the Preliminary Offering Memorandum and
Offering Memorandum, constitute the only information furnished by or on behalf
of the Initial Purchasers as such information is referred to in Sections 5(b)
and 6 hereof.

                   12.  MISCELLANEOUS.  Except as otherwise provided in
Sections 4, 9 and 10 hereof, notice given pursuant to any provision of this
Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered (i) if to the Company or
the Guarantors, at the office of the Company at Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite
1100, Chicago, IL 60606, Attention:  Gus Athas, or (ii) if to the Initial
Purchasers, to Smith Barney Inc., 388 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10013,
Attention: Manager, Investment Banking Division.  The Company shall be entitled
to act and rely upon any request, consent, notice or agreement given or made on
behalf of the Initial Purchasers by Smith Barney Inc. 
         
                   This Agreement has been and is made solely for the benefit
of the Initial Purchasers, the Company, the Guarantors, their respective
directors, their respective officers and the controlling persons referred to in
Section 6 hereof and their respective successors and assigns, to the extent
provided herein, and no other person shall acquire or have any right under or by
virtue of this Agreement.  Neither the term "successor" nor the term "successors
and assigns" as used in this Agreement shall include a purchaser from the
Initial Purchasers of any of the Securities in his status as such purchaser.
         
                   13.  APPLICABLE LAW; COUNTERPARTS  This Agreement shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York
applicable to contracts made and to be performed within the State of New York
and without regard to the conflicts of law principles thereof.
         
                   This Agreement may be signed in various counterparts which
together constitute one and the same instrument.  If signed in counterparts,
this Agreement shall not become effective unless at least one counterpart hereof
shall have been executed and delivered on behalf of each party hereto.


                                          27

<PAGE>

                   Please confirm that the foregoing correctly sets forth the
agreement among the Company, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers.


                                       Very truly yours,
              
                                       FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
         
         
                                       By:   /s/ Gus J. Athas
                                             ---------------------------------- 
                                            Name:   Gus J. Athas
                                            Title:  Senior Vice-President


                                       HART & COOLEY, INC.


                                       By:   /s/ Gus J. Athas
                                             ---------------------------------- 
                                            Name:  Gus J. Athas
                                            Title: Vice-President
         
         
                                       MANSFIELD PLUMBING PRODUCTS, INC.
         
         
                                       By:   /s/ Gus J. Athas
                                             ---------------------------------- 
                                            Name:  Gus J. Athas
                                            Title: Vice-President


                                       DEVILBISS AIR POWER COMPANY 
         
         
                                       By:   /s/ Gus J. Athas
                                             ---------------------------------- 
                                            Name:  Gus J. Athas
                                            Title: Vice-President


                                          28

<PAGE>

                                       SWC INDUSTRIES, INC.


                                       By:   /s/ Gus J. Athas
                                             ---------------------------------- 
                                            Name:   Gus J. Athas
                                            Title:  Vice-President


                                       EX-CELL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC. 


                                       By:   /s/ Gus J. Athas
                                             ---------------------------------- 
                                            Name:  Gus J. Athas
                                            Title: Vice-President


                                          29

<PAGE>


         Confirmed as of the date first
         above mentioned.
         
         SMITH BARNEY INC.
         BT SECURITIES CORPORATION
         CHASE SECURITIES INC.
         MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED
         
         By: Smith Barney Inc.
         
              By: /s/ Michael Klein
                 --------------------------
                   Managing Director

                                       30


<PAGE>
                                   SCHEDULE I


                         FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Principal Amount                  Principal Amount

    Initial Purchaser             of Subordinated Notes
    -----------------             ---------------------
of Subordinated 

Discount Notes
- --------------

    <S>                                                       <C>                      <C>
    Smith Barney Inc.                                         $ 47,125,000             $ 56,875,000
    BT Securities Corporation                                 $ 47,125,000             $ 56,875,000
    Chase Securities Inc                                      $ 36,250,000             $ 43,750,000
    Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated        $ 14,500,000             $ 17,500,000
                                                              ------------             ------------

         Total                                                $145,000,000             $170,000,000
                                                              ------------             ------------
                                                              ------------             ------------

</TABLE>


<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 1.03
 
                         FORM OF LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
 
                             OFFER FOR OUTSTANDING
             9 1/2% SERIES A SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007 AND
          10 1/2% SERIES A SENIOR SUBORDINATED DISCOUNT NOTES DUE 2007
                         IN EXCHANGE FOR, RESPECTIVELY,
             9 1/2% SERIES B SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007 AND
          10 1/2% SERIES B SENIOR SUBORDINATED DISCOUNT NOTES DUE 2007
                                       OF
                         FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
 
       THIS EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON
                 , 1997, UNLESS EXTENDED.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    THE EXCHANGE AGENT IS HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK, WHOSE MAILING ADDRESS,
FACSIMILE NUMBER AND TELEPHONE NUMBER ARE AS FOLLOWS:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                              <C>
       BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL:              BY HAND DELIVERY OR OVERNIGHT COURIER:
         Harris Trust and Savings Bank                    Harris Trust and Savings Bank
     c/o Harris Trust Company of New York             c/o Harris Trust Company of New York
                 P.O. Box 1010                                   77 Water Street
              Wall Street Station                                   4th Floor
         New York, New York 10268-1010                      New York, New York 10005
</TABLE>
 
                            FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION:
                                 (212) 701-7636
 
                             CONFIRM BY TELEPHONE:
                                 (212) 701-7624
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES TENDERED
                                                                CERTIFICATE
   NAME AND ADDRESS OF REGISTERED HOLDER AS IT APPEARS           NUMBER(S)        PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF
      ON THE PRIVATELY PLACED 9 1/2% SERIES A SENIOR            OF OLD NOTES           OLD NOTES
        SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007 ("OLD NOTES")               TRANSMITTED           TRANSMITTED
<S>                                                         <C>                   <C>
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   NAME AND ADDRESS OF REGISTERED HOLDER AS IT APPEARS          CERTIFICATE
     ON THE PRIVATELY PLACED 10 1/2% SERIES A SENIOR             NUMBER(S)        PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF
   SUBORDINATED DISCOUNT NOTES DUE 2007 ("OLD DISCOUNT        OF OLD DISCOUNT      OLD DISCOUNT NOTES
                         NOTES")                             NOTES TRANSMITTED        TRANSMITTED
<S>                                                         <C>                   <C>
</TABLE>
 
<PAGE>
            NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW. PLEASE READ THE
                      ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.
 
Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
    1.  The undersigned hereby agrees to exchange the aggregate principal amount
of privately placed 9 1/2% Series A Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007 (the "Old
Notes") or 10 1/2% Series A Senior Subordinated Discount Notes Due 2007 (the
"Old Discount Notes"), as the case may be, for a like principal amount of 9 1/2%
Series B Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007 (the "Notes") or 10 1/2% Series B
Senior Subordinated Discount Notes Due 2007 (the "Discount Notes") of the
Company, upon the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the
Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed by Falcon Building Products, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Registration Statement") and the accompanying Prospectus dated
                , 1997 included therein (the "Prospectus"), receipt of which is
hereby acknowledged.
 
    2.  If the undersigned is tendering Old Notes, the undersigned hereby
acknowledges and agrees that the Notes will bear interest from and including
June 17, 1997, the date of issuance of the Old Notes. Accordingly, the
undersigned will forego accrued but unpaid interest on his, her or its Old Notes
that are exchanged for Notes from and including June 17, 1997 but will receive
such interest under the Notes.
 
    3.  If the undersigned is tendering Old Discount Notes, the undersigned
hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Accreted Value (as defined) of the
Discount Notes, when issued, will equal the Accreted Value of the Old Discount
Notes exchanged therefor.
 
    4.  If the undersigned is tendering Old Discount Notes, the undersigned
hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Accreted Value (as defined) of the
Discount Notes, when issued, will equal the Accreted Value of the Old Discount
Notes exchanged therefor.
 
    5.  The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that he, she or it has
full authority to tender the Old Notes or Old Discount Notes, as the case may
be, described above. The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any
additional documents deemed by the Company to be necessary or desirable to
complete the exchange of Old Notes or such Old Discount Notes, as the case may
be.
 
    6.  The undersigned understands that the tender of the Old Notes or Old
Discount Notes, as the case may be, pursuant to all of the procedures set forth
in the Prospectus will constitute an agreement between the undersigned and the
Company as to the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus.
 
    7.  The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned is
acquiring the Notes or the Discount Notes, as the case may be, in the ordinary
course of the business of the undersigned and that the undersigned is not
engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of the Notes or the
Discount Notes.
 
    8.  If the undersigned is a broker-dealer, (i) it hereby represents and
warrants that it acquired the Old Notes or Old Discount Notes, as the case may
be, for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading
activities and (ii) it hereby acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus
meeting the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), in connection with any resale of the Notes or the Discount
Notes received hereby. The acknowledgment contained in the foregoing sentence
shall not be deemed an admission that the undersigned is an "underwriter" within
the meaning of the Securities Act.
 
    9.  Any obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the
successors, assigns, executors, administrators, trustees in bankruptcy and legal
and personal representatives of the undersigned.
<PAGE>
                   SPECIAL ISSUANCE AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
                              (SEE INSTRUCTION 1)
 
      To be completed ONLY IF the Notes or Discount Notes, as the case may be,
  are to be issued in the name of someone other than the undersigned or are to
  be sent to someone other than the undersigned or to the undersigned at an
  address other than that provided above.
 
  Issue to:
 
  Name _______________________________________________________________________
                                 (PLEASE PRINT)
 
  Address ____________________________________________________________________
 
  ____________________________________________________________________________
 
  ____________________________________________________________________________
                               (INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
 
  Mail to:
 
  Name _______________________________________________________________________
                                 (PLEASE PRINT)
 
  Address ____________________________________________________________________
 
  ____________________________________________________________________________
 
  ____________________________________________________________________________
                               (INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
 
                                   SIGNATURE
 
                          (NAME OF REGISTERED HOLDER)
 
  By: ________________________________________________________________________
 
    Name: ____________________________________________________________________
 
    Title: ___________________________________________________________________
 
  Date: ______________________________________________________________________
 
      (Must be signed by registered holder exactly as name appears on Old
  Notes or Old Discount Notes, as the case may be. If signature is by trustee,
  executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a
  corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative
  capacity, please set forth full title. See Instruction 3.)
 
  Address: ___________________________________________________________________
 
                                         _____________________________________
 
  Telephone No. ______________________________________________________________
 
  Taxpayer Identification No.: _______________________________________________
 
  Signature Guaranteed By: ___________________________________________________
                                         (See Instruction 1)
 
  Title: _____________________________________________________________________
 
  Name of Institution: _______________________________________________________
 
  Address: ___________________________________________________________________
 
  Date: ______________________________________________________________________
 
                   PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW, WHICH
                   FORM A PART OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
 
<PAGE>
                                  INSTRUCTIONS
 
    1.  GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURES.  Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal must
be guaranteed by a firm that is a member of a registered national securities
exchange, a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or by
a commercial bank or trust company having an office in the United States which
is a member of a recognized Medallion Signature Program approved by the
Securities Transfer Association, Inc. (an "Eligible Institution") unless (i) the
"Special Issuance and Delivery Instructions" above have not been completed or
(ii) the Old Notes or Old Discount Notes, as the case may be, described above
are tendered for the account of an Eligible Institution.
 
    2.  DELIVERY OF LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND OLD NOTES OR OLD DISCOUNT
NOTES.  The Old Notes or Old Discount Notes, as the case may be, together with a
properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile
thereof), should be mailed or delivered to the Exchange Agent at the address set
forth above.
 
    THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF OLD NOTES OR OLD DISCOUNT NOTES AND OTHER
DOCUMENTS IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK OF THE RESPECTIVE HOLDER. IF DELIVERY IS
BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL (WITH RETURN RECEIPT), PROPERLY INSURED, IS SUGGESTED.
 
    3.  GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES.  Registered holders who wish to tender
their Old Notes or Old Discount Notes and (i) whose Old Notes or Old Discount
Notes, as the case may be, are not immediately available or (ii) who cannot
deliver such Old Notes or Old Discount Notes, the Letter of Transmittal or any
other required documents to the Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration Date, may
effect a tender if:
 
    (a) The tender is made through an Eligible Institution;
 
    (b) Prior to the Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent receives from such
       Eligible Institution a properly completed and duly executed Notice of
       Guaranteed Delivery (by facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery)
       setting forth the name and address of the registered holder of the Old
       Notes or Old Discount Notes, as the case may be, the certificate number
       or numbers of such Old Notes or Old Discount Notes and the principal
       amount of Old Notes or Old Discount Notes tendered, stating that the
       tender is being made thereby and guaranteeing that, within three New York
       Stock Exchange trading days after the Expiration Date, the Letter of
       Transmittal (or facsimile thereof) together with the certificate(s)
       representing such Old Notes or Old Discount Notes and any other documents
       required by the Letter of Transmittal will be deposited by the Eligible
       Institution with the Exchange Agent; and
 
    (c) Such properly completed and executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile
       thereof), as well as the certificate(s) representing all tendered Old
       Notes or Old Discount Notes, as the case may be, in proper form for
       transfer and all other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal
       are received by the Exchange Agent within three New York Stock Exchange
       trading days after the Expiration Date.
 
    Upon request of the Exchange Agent, a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery will be
sent to registered holders who wish to tender their Old Notes or Old Discount
Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth above.
 
    4.  SIGNATURES ON LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, BOND POWERS AND ENDORSEMENTS.  If
this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than a registered holder
of any Old Notes or Old Discount Notes, such Old Notes or Old Discount Notes, as
the case may be, must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate bond powers, in
either case signed exactly as the name or names of the registered holder or
holders appear on such Old Notes or Old Discount Notes.
 
    If this Letter of Transmittal or any Old Notes or Old Discount Notes or bond
power is signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians,
attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or
representative capacity, such person should so indicate when signing, and,
unless waived by the Company, proper evidence satisfactory to the Company of
their authority to so act must be submitted.
 
    5.  EXCHANGE OF OLD NOTES OR OLD DISCOUNT NOTES ONLY.  Only the
above-described Old Notes or Old Discount Notes may be exchanged for,
respectively, Notes or Discount Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
 
    6.  MISCELLANEOUS.  All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility
(including time of receipt), acceptance and withdrawal of tendered Old Notes or
Old Discount Notes will be resolved by the Company, whose determination will be
final and binding. The Company reserves the absolute right to reject any or all
tenders that are not in proper form or the acceptance of which would, in the
opinion of counsel for the Company, be unlawful. The Company also reserves the
right to waive any irregularities or conditions of tender as to particular Old
Notes or Old Discount Notes. The Company's interpretation of the terms and
conditions of the Exchange Offer (including the instructions in this Letter of
Transmittal) will be final and binding. Unless waived, any irregularities in
connection with tenders or consents must be cured within such time as the
Company shall determine. Neither the Company nor the Exchange Agent shall be
under any duty to give notification of defects in such tenders or shall incur
liabilities for failure to give such notification. Tenders of Old Notes or Old
Discount Notes will not be deemed to have been made until such irregularities
have been cured or waived. Any Old Notes or Old Discount Notes received by the
Exchange Agent that are not properly tendered and as to which the irregularities
have not been cured or waived will be returned by the Exchange Agent to the
tendering holder thereof.
<PAGE>
                           IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION
 
    Under current Federal income tax law, an Old Noteholder or Old Discount
Noteholder whose tendered Old Notes or Old Discount Notes, as the case may be,
are accepted for payment generally is required to provide the Exchange Agent (as
agent for the payer) with his or her correct taxpayer identification number
("TIN") on Substitute Form W-9 below. If such Old Noteholder or Old Discount
Noteholder is an individual, the TIN is his or her social security number. If
the Exchange Agent is not provided with the correct TIN, the Old Noteholder or
Old Discount Noteholder may be subject to a $50 penalty imposed by the Internal
Revenue Service. In addition, payments that are made to such Old Noteholders or
Old Discount Noteholders with respect to Notes or Discount Notes exchanged
pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be subject to backup withholding.
 
    Certain Old Noteholders or Old Discount Noteholders (including, among
others, all corporations and certain foreign individuals) may not be subject to
these backup withholding and reporting requirements. Exempt Old Noteholders or
Old Discount Noteholders should indicate their exempt status on Substitute Form
W-9. In order for a foreign individual to qualify as an exempt recipient, that
Old Noteholder or Old Discount Noteholder must submit a properly completed
Internal Revenue Service Form W-8, signed under penalties of perjury, attesting
to his or her exempt status. Such statements can be obtained from the Exchange
Agent. See the enclosed Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification
Number on Substitute Form W-9 for additional instructions.
 
    If backup withholding applies, the Exchange Agent is required to withhold 31
percent of any such payments made to the Old Noteholder or Old Discount
Noteholder. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the federal
income tax liability of persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by
the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a
refund may be obtained.
 
PURPOSE OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
 
    To prevent backup withholding on payments that are made to an Old Noteholder
or Old Discount Noteholder with respect to Old Notes or Old Discount Notes
exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer, each Old Noteholder or Old Discount
Noteholder is required to notify the Exchange Agent of his, her or its correct
TIN by completing the Substitute Form W-9 below certifying the TIN provided on
such form is correct (or that such Old Noteholder or Old Discount Noteholder is
awaiting a TIN) and that (1) such Old Noteholder or Old Discount Noteholder has
not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that he, she or it is subject
to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or
dividends or (2) the Internal Revenue Service has notified such Old Noteholder
or Old Discount Noteholder that he, she or it is no longer subject to backup
withholding.
 
WHAT NUMBER TO GIVE THE EXCHANGE AGENT
 
    The Old Noteholder or Old Discount Noteholder is required to give the
Exchange Agent the social security number or employer identification number of
the record owner of the Old Notes or Old Discount Notes. If the Old Notes or Old
Discount Notes are in more than one name or are not in the name of the actual
owner, consult the enclosed Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer
Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9 for additional guidelines on which
number to report.
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>                                   <C>
                         PAYER'S NAME: HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK, AS AGENT
 SUBSTITUTE                    PART 1--PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR TIN IN
 FORM W-9                      THE BOX AT RIGHT AND CERTIFY BY             Social Security Number
                               SIGNING AND DATING BELOW.                             OR
                                                                       Employer Identification Number
 
 DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY    PART 2--                              PART 3--
 INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE      Certification--Under penalties of     Awaiting TIN / /
                               perjury, I certify that:
 
                               (1)  The number shown on this form
                               is my current taxpayer
                                    identification number (or I am
                                    waiting for a number to be
                                    issued to me) and
 
                               (2)  I am not subject to backup
                               withholding because: (a) I am exempt
                                    from backup withholding, (b) I
                                    have not been notified by the
                                    Internal Revenue Service (the
                                    IRS) that I am subject to
                                    backup withholding as a result
                                    of a failure to report all
                                    interest or dividends or (c)
                                    the IRS has notified me that I
                                    am no longer subject to backup
                                    withholding.
                               Certificate Instructions--You must cross out Item (2) above if you have
 PAYER'S REQUEST FOR TAXPAYER  been notified by the IRS that you are currently subject to backup
 IDENTIFICATION NUMBER "TIN"   withholding because of under-reporting interest or dividends on your tax
                               return. However, if after being notified by the IRS that you were subject
                               to backup withholding you received another notification from the IRS that
                               you are no longer subject to backup withholding, do not cross out such
                               Item (2).
 
                               SIGNATURE:  DATE:
</TABLE>
 
NOTE:  FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING
       OF 31 PERCENT OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER,
       PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED "GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER
       IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9" FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
 
NOTE:  YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU CHECKED THE BOX IN
       PART 3 OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9.
 
             CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
    I certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer identification number
has not been issued to me, and either (a) I have mailed or delivered an
application to receive a taxpayer identification number to the appropriate
Internal Revenue Service Center or Social Security Administration Officer or (b)
I intend to mail or deliver such an application in the near future. I understand
that if I do not provide a taxpayer identification number within sixty (60)
days, 31 percent of all reportable payments made to me thereafter will be
withheld until I provide a number.
SIGNATURE ____________________________________________________ DATE ____________

<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 3.03

                             CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

                                          OF

                                 HART & COOLEY, INC.

    THE UNDERSIGNED, in order to form a corporation for the purposes
hereinafter stated, under and pursuant to the provisions of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify as follows:

    FIRST:    The name of the Corporation is

         HART & COOLEY, INC.

    SECOND:   The registered office of the Corporation is to be located at 229
South State Street, in the City of Dover, in the County of Kent, in the State of
Delaware. The name of its registered agent at that address is United States
Corporation Company.

    THIRD:    The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or
activity for which a corporation may be organized under the General Corporation
Law of Delaware.

    FOURTH:   The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation is
authorized to issue is one thousand (1000) shares of common stock all of which
shall have a par value of $.01.

<PAGE>

    FIFTH:    The name and address of the Incorporator are as follows:

         NAME                     ADDRESS

         KIM A. KURZENIEC         33 North LaSalle Street
                                  Chicago, Illinois  60602

    SIXTH:    The following provisions are inserted for the management of the
business and for the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation, and for further
definition, limitation and regulation of the powers of the Corporation and of
its directors and stockholders:

    (1)  The number of directors of the Corporation shall be such as from time
to time shall be fixed by, or in the manner provided in, the by-laws.  Election
of directors need not be by ballot unless the by-laws so provide.

    (2)  The Board of Directors shall have power without the assent or vote of
the stockholders to make, alter, amend, change, add to or repeal the by-laws of
the Corporation, to fix and vary the amount to be reserved for any proper
purpose; to authorize and cause to be executed mortgages and liens and all or
any part of the property of the Corporation; to determine the use and
disposition of any surplus or net profits; and to fix the times for the
declaration and payment of dividends.

    (3)  The directors in their discretion may submit any contract or act for
approval or ratification at any annual meeting

                                        2
<PAGE>

of the stockholders or at any meeting of the stockholders called for the 
purpose of considering any such act or contract, and any contract or act that 
shall be approved or be ratified by the vote of the holders of a majority of 
the stock of the Corporation which is represented in person or by proxy at 
such meeting and entitled to vote thereat (provided that a lawful quorum of 
stockholders be there represented in person or by proxy) shall be as valid 
and as binding upon the Corporation and upon all the stockholders as though 
it had been approved or ratified by every stockholder of the Corporation, 
whether or not the contract or act would otherwise be open to legal attack 
because of directors' interest, or for any other reason.

    (4)  In addition to the powers and authorities hereinbefore or by statute
expressly conferred upon them, the directors are hereby empowered to exercise
all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by
the Corporation; subject, nevertheless, to the provisions of the statutes of
Delaware, of this Certificate, and to any by-laws from time to time made by the
stockholders; provided, however, that no by-laws so made shall invalidate any
prior act of the directors which would have been valid if such by-law had not
been made.

    SEVENTH:  The Corporation shall, to the full extent permitted by Section
145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended from time to time,
indemnify all persons whom it may indemnify pursuant thereto.

                                        3

<PAGE>

    EIGHTH:   Whenever a compromise or arrangement is proposed between this
Corporation and its creditors or any class of them and/or between this
Corporation and its stockholders or any class of them, any court of equitable
jurisdiction within the State of Delaware, may, on the application in a summary
way of this Corporation or of any creditor or stockholder thereof or on the
application of any receiver or receivers appointed for this Corporation under
the provisions of Section 291 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code or on the
application of trustees in dissolution or of any receiver or receivers appointed
for this Corporation under the provisions of Section 279 of Title 8 of the
Delaware Code order a meeting of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of
the stockholders or class of stockholders of this Corporation, as the case may
be, to be summoned in such manner as the said court directs.  If a majority in
number representing three-fourths in value of the creditors or class of
creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of this
Corporation, as the case may be, agree to any compromise or arrangement and to
any reorganization of this Corporation as consequence of such compromise or
arrangement, the said compromise or arrangement and the said reorganization
shall, if sanctioned by the court to which the said application has been made,
be binding on all the creditors or class of creditors, and/or on all the
stockholders or class of stockholders of this Corporation, as the case may be,
and also on this Corporation.

                                       4

<PAGE>

    NINTH:    The personal liability of the directors of the Corporation is
hereby eliminated to the fullest extent permitted by paragraph (7) of subsection
(b) of Section 102 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as
the same may be amended and supplemented.

    TENTH:    The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or 
repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation in the 
manner now or hereafter prescribed by law, and all rights and powers 
conferred herein on stockholders, directors and officers are subject to this 
reserved power.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  I have hereunto set my hand and seal.

                             /s/ Kim A. Kurzeniec
                             ------------------------
                             Kim A. Kurzeniec

                                          5

<PAGE>

                                                                EXHIBIT 3.04

                                                                Revised 8/1/96

                                       BY-LAWS
                                          OF
                                 HART & COOLEY, INC.


                                      ARTICLE I

                                       OFFICES

    Hart & Cooley, Inc. (the "Corporation") shall continuously maintain in the
State of Delaware a registered office and a registered agent whose business
office is identical with such registered office, and may have other offices
within or without the State.

                                      ARTICLE II

                                     SHAREHOLDERS

    SECTION 1.  ANNUAL MEETING.  An annual meeting of the shareholders shall be
held in July of each year or at such time as the Board of Directors may
designate for the purpose of electing directors and for the transaction of such
other business as may come before the meeting.  If the election of directors
shall not be held on the day designated herein for any annual meeting, or at any
adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors shall cause the election to be held
at a meeting of the shareholders as soon thereafter as may be convenient.

    SECTION 2.  SPECIAL MEETINGS.  Special meetings of the shareholders may be
called either by the President, by the Board of Directors or by the holders of
not less than one-fifth of all the outstanding shares of the Corporation
entitled to vote, for the purpose or purposes stated in the call of the meeting.

    SECTION 3.  PLACE OF MEETING.  The Board of Directors may designate any
place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the place of meeting
for any annual meeting or for any special meeting called by the Board of
Directors.  A waiver of notice signed by all shareholders may designate any
place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the place for the
holding of such meeting.  If no designation is made, or if a special meeting be
otherwise called, the place of meeting shall be at the Corporation's principal
executive office of the Corporation in Chicago, Illinois, except as otherwise
provided in Section 5 of this Article II.

                                        1
<PAGE>

    SECTION 4.  NOTICE OF MEETINGS.  Written notice stating the place, date, 
and hour of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or 
purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be delivered not less than 10 
nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting, or in the case of a 
merger, consolidation, share exchange, dissolution or sale, lease or exchange 
of assets not less than 20 nor more than 60 days before the date of the 
meeting, either personally or by mail, by or at the direction of the 
President, or the Secretary, or the officer or persons calling the meeting, 
to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting.  If mailed, 
such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United 
States mail addressed to the shareholder at his or her address as it appears 
on the records of the corporation, with postage thereon prepaid.  When a 
meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of 
the adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof are announced at the 
meeting at which the adjournment is taken.

    SECTION 5.  MEETING OF ALL SHAREHOLDERS.  If all of the shareholders shall
meet at any time and place, either within or without the State of Delaware, and
consent to the holding of a meeting at such time and place, such meeting shall
be valid without call or notice, and at such meeting any corporate action may be
taken.

    SECTION 6.  CLOSING OF TRANSFER BOOKS OR FIXING OF RECORD DATE.  For the
purpose of determining the shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any
meeting of shareholders, or shareholders entitled to receive payment of any
dividend, or in order to make a determination of shareholders for any other
proper purpose, the Board of Directors may fix in advance a date as the record
date for any such determination of shareholders, such date in any case to be not
more than 60 days and for a meeting of shareholders, not less than 10 days, or
in the case of a merger, consolidation, share exchange, dissolution or sale,
lease or exchange of assets, not less than 20 days before the date of such
meeting.  If no record date is fixed for the determination of shareholders
entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders, or shareholders
entitled to receive payment of a dividend, the date on which notice of the
meeting is mailed or the date on which the resolution of the Board of Directors
declaring such dividend is adopted, as the case may be, shall be the record date
for such determination of shareholders.  When a determination of shareholders
entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders has been made as provided in
this Section, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof.

    SECTION 7.  VOTING LISTS.  The officer or agent having charge of the
transfer book for shares of the Corporation shall make, within 20 days after the
record date for a meeting of shareholders or 10 days before such meeting,
whichever is earlier, a complete list of the shareholders entitled to vote at
such meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, with the address of and the number
of shares held by each, which list, for a period of 10 days prior to such
meeting, shall be kept on file at the principal executive office of the
Corporation in Chicago, Illinois and shall be subject to inspection by any
shareholder, and to copying at the shareholder's expense, at any time during
usual business hours.  Such list shall also be produced and kept open at the
time and
                                      2
<PAGE>

place of the meeting and shall be subject to the inspection of any
shareholder during the whole time of the meeting.  The original share ledger or
transfer book, or a duplicate thereof, shall be prima facie evidence as to who
are the shareholders entitled to examine such list or share ledger or transfer
book or to vote at any meeting of shareholders.

    SECTION 8.  QUORUM.  The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares 
of the Corporation entitled to vote on a matter, represented in person or by 
proxy, shall constitute a quorum for consideration of such matter at any 
meeting of shareholders, but in no event shall a quorum consist of less than 
one-third of the outstanding shares entitled so to vote; provided that if 
less than a majority of the outstanding shares are represented at said 
meeting, a majority of the shares so represented may adjourn the meeting at 
any time without further notice.  If a quorum is present, the affirmative 
vote of the majority of the shares represented at the meeting shall be the 
act of the shareholders, unless the vote of a greater number or voting by 
classes is required by the Delaware General Corporation Law (as now in effect 
or as amended from time to time, the "General Corporation Law"), the 
certificate of incorporation or these by-laws.  At any adjourned meeting at 
which a quorum shall be present, any business may be transacted which might 
have been transacted at the original meeting.  Withdrawal of shareholders 
from any meeting shall not cause failure of a duly constituted quorum at that 
meeting.

    SECTION 9.  PROXIES.  At all meetings of shareholders, a shareholder may
vote by proxy executed in writing by the shareholder or by his duly authorized
attorney-in-fact.  Such proxy shall be filed with the Secretary of the
Corporation before or at the time of the meeting.  No proxy shall be valid after
eleven months from the date of its execution, unless otherwise provided in the
proxy.

    SECTION 10.  VOTING OF SHARES.  Unless otherwise provided in the
certificate of incorporation, each outstanding share shall be entitled to one
(1) vote upon each matter submitted to vote at a meeting of shareholders.

    SECTION 11.  VOTING OF SHARES BY CERTAIN HOLDERS.  Shares held by the
Corporation in a fiduciary capacity may be voted and shall be counted in
determining the total number of outstanding shares entitled to vote at any given
time.

    Shares registered in the name of another corporation, domestic or foreign,
may be voted by any officer, agent, proxy or other legal representative
authorized to vote such shares under the law of incorporation or such
corporation.  The Corporation may treat the president or other person holding
the position of chief executive officer of such other corporation as authorized
to vote such shares, together with any other person indicated and any other
holder of any office indicated by the corporate shareholder to the Corporation
as a person or an officer authorized to vote such shares.  Such persons and
officers indicated shall be registered by the Corporation on the transfer books
for
                                        3
<PAGE>

shares and included in any voting list prepared in accordance with Section 7
of this Article II.

    Shares registered in the name of a deceased person, a minor ward or a
person under legal disability, may be voted by his or her administrator,
executor or court appointed guardian, either in person or by proxy without a
transfer of such shares into the name of such administrator, executor or court
appointed guardian.  Shares registered in the name of a trustee may be voted by
him or her, either in person or by proxy.

    Shares registered in the name of a receiver may be voted by such receiver,
and shares held by or under the control of a receiver may be voted by such
receiver without the transfer thereof into his or her name if authority to do so
is contained in an appropriate order of the court by which such receiver was
appointed.

    A shareholder whose shares are pledged shall be entitled to vote such
shares until the shares have been transferred into the name of the pledgee, and
thereafter the pledgee shall be entitled to vote the shares so transferred.

    Any number of shareholders may create a voting trust for the purpose of
conferring upon a trustee or trustees the right to vote or otherwise represent
their shares, for a period not to exceed 10 years, by entering into a written
voting trust agreement specifying the terms and conditions of the voting trust,
and by transferring their shares to such trustee or trustees for the purpose of
the agreement.  Any such trust agreement shall not become effective until a
counterpart of the agreement is deposited with the Corporation at its registered
office.  The counterpart of the voting trust agreement so deposited with the
Corporation shall be subject to the same right of examination by a shareholder
of the Corporation, in person or by agent or attorney, as are the books and
records of the Corporation, and shall be subject to examination by any holder of
a beneficial interest in the voting trust, either in person or by agent or
attorney, at any reasonable time for any proper purpose.

    Shares of its own stock belonging to this Corporation shall not be voted,
directly or indirectly, at any meeting and shall not be counted in determining
the total number of outstanding shares at any given time, but shares of its own
stock held by it in a fiduciary capacity may be voted and shall be counted in
determining the total number of outstanding shares at any given time.

    SECTION 12.  INSPECTORS.  At any meeting of shareholders, the presiding
officer may, or upon the request of any shareholder, shall appoint one or more
persons as inspectors for such meeting.

    Such inspectors shall ascertain and report the number of shares represented
at the meeting, based upon their determination of the validity and effect of
proxies; count
                                       4
<PAGE>

all votes and report the results; and do such other acts as are proper to 
conduct the election and voting with impartiality and fairness to all the 
shareholders.

    Each report of an inspector shall be in writing and signed by him or her or
by a majority of them if there be more than one inspector acting at such
meeting.  If there is more than one inspector, the report of a majority shall be
the report of the inspectors.  The report of the inspector or inspectors on the
number of shares represented at the meeting and the results of the voting shall
be prima facie evidence thereof.

    SECTION 13.  INFORMAL ACTION BY SHAREHOLDERS.  Any action required to be
taken at a meeting of the shareholders, or any other action which may be taken
at a meeting of the shareholders, may be taken without a meeting and without a
vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken shall be signed
(a) if 5 days prior notice of the proposed action is given in writing to all of
the shareholders entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter hereof, by
the holders of outstanding shares having not less than the minimum number of
votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at
which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voting or (b) by all
of the shareholders entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof.

    Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by
less than unanimous written consent shall be given in writing to those
shareholders who have not consented in writing.  In the event that the action
which is consented to is such as would have required the filing of a certificate
under any section of the General Corporation Law if such action had been voted
on by the shareholders at a meeting thereof, the certificate filed under such
section shall state, in lieu of any statement required by such section
concerning any vote of shareholders, that written consent has been given in
accordance with the provisions of the General Corporation Law and that written
notice has been given as provided in the General Corporation Law.

    SECTION 14.  VOTING BY BALLOT.  Voting on any question or in any election
may be by voice unless the presiding officer shall order or any shareholder
shall demand that voting be by ballot.

                                     ARTICLE III

                                      DIRECTORS

    SECTION 1.  GENERAL POWERS.  The business of the Corporation shall be
managed by or under the direction of its Board of Directors.

    SECTION 2.  NUMBER, TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS.  The number of directors of
the Corporation shall be at least one (1) but not more than eleven (11).  Each
director shall hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders; or
until his successor shall have been elected and qualified.  Directors need not
be residents of
                                     5
<PAGE>

Delaware or shareholders of the Corporation.  The number of directors may be 
increased or decreased from time to time by the amendment of this Section 2.  
No decrease shall have the effect of shortening the term of any incumbent 
director.

    SECTION 3.  REGULAR MEETINGS.  A regular meeting of the Board of Directors
shall be held without other notice than this by-law, immediately after the
annual meeting of shareholders.  The Board of Directors may provide, by
resolution, the time and place for holding of additional regular meetings
without other notice than such resolution.

    SECTION 4.  SPECIAL MEETINGS.  Special meetings of the Board of Directors
may be called by or at the request of the President or any two directors.  The
person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors
may fix any place as the place for holding any special meeting of the Board of
Directors called by them.

    SECTION 5.  NOTICE.  Notice of any special meeting shall be given at 
least two business days previous thereto by written notice to each director 
at his business address.  If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be 
delivered when deposited in the United States mail so addressed, with postage 
thereon prepaid. If notice be given by telegram, such notice shall be deemed 
to be delivered when the telegram is delivered to the telegram company.  The 
attendance of a director at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice 
of such meeting, except where a director attends a meeting for the express 
purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting 
is not lawfully called or convened.  Neither the business to be transacted 
at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Board of 
Directors need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting.

    SECTION 6.  QUORUM.  Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of
incorporation, a majority of the number of directors elected by the shareholders
as indicated under Section 2 of this Article III shall constitute a quorum for
transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, provided that
if less than a majority of such number of directors are present at said meeting,
a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting at any time without
further notice.

    Unless specifically prohibited by the certificate of incorporation, members
of the Board of Directors or of any committee of the Board of Directors may
participate in and act at any meeting of the Board or such committee through the
use of a conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of
which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other.
Participation in such meeting shall constitute attendance and presence in person
at the meeting of the person or persons so participating.

    SECTION 7.  MANNER OF ACTING.  The act of the majority of the directors
present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board
of
                                          6
<PAGE>

Directors, unless the act of a greater number is required by statute, these
by-laws, or the certificate of incorporation.

    SECTION 8.  VACANCIES.  Any vacancy on the Board of Directors and any
directorship to be filled by reason of an increase in the number of directors
may be filled by election at the next annual or special meeting of shareholders.
A majority of the Board of Directors may fill any vacancy prior to such annual
or special meeting of shareholders.

    SECTION 9.  RESIGNATION OF DIRECTORS.  A director may resign at any time
upon written notice to the Board of Directors, its chairman, if any, or to the
chief executive officer or Secretary of the Corporation.

    SECTION 10.  INFORMAL ACTION BY DIRECTORS.  Unless specifically prohibited
by the certificate of incorporation or by other provisions of these by-laws, any
action required to be taken at a meeting of the Board of Directors, or any other
action which may be taken at a meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any
committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing,
setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all the directors entitled
to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof, or by all the members of
such committee, as the case may be.  Any such consent signed by all the
directors or all the members of the committee shall have the same effect as a
unanimous vote, and may be stated as such in any document filed with the
Secretary of State or with anyone else.

    SECTION 11.  COMMITTEES.  A majority of the directors fixed by these 
by-laws may, by resolution, create one or more committees and appoint members 
of the Board to serve on any one or more of such committees.  Each committee 
shall have two or more members who shall serve at the pleasure of the Board.  
A majority of any committee shall constitute a quorum and a majority of a 
quorum is necessary for committee action.  Each committee, to the extent 
provided by the Board of Directors in such resolution, shall have and 
exercise all of the authority of the Board of Directors in the management of 
the Corporation, except that a committee may not: authorize distributions; 
approve or recommend to shareholders any act required by statute to be 
approved by shareholders; fill vacancies on the Board or on any of its 
committees; elect or remove officers or fix the compensation of any member of 
the committee; adopt, amend or repeal the by-laws; approve a plan or merger 
not requiring shareholder approval; authorize or approve the reacquisition of 
shares, except according to a general formula or method prescribed by the 
Board; authorize or approve the issuance or sale, or contract for sale, of 
shares or determine the designation and relative rights, preferences, and 
limitations of a series of shares, except that the Board may direct a 
committee to fix the specific terms of issuance or sale or contract for sale 
or the number of shares to be allocated to particular employees under an 
employee benefit plan; or, amend, alter, repeal, or take action inconsistent 
with any resolution or action of the Board of Directors when the resolution 
or action of the Board of Directors provides by its terms that it shall not 
be amended, altered or repealed by action of a committee.

                                          7
<PAGE>

Vacancies in the membership of any committee shall be filled by the Board
of Directors.  Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its proceedings and
report the same to the Board when required.  A committee may act by unanimous
consent in writing without a meeting and, subject to action by the Board of
Directors, each committee, by a majority vote of its members, shall determine
the time and place of meetings and the notice therefor.

    SECTION 12.  COMPENSATION.  The Board of Directors, by the affirmative vote
of a majority of directors then in office, and irrespective of any personal
interest of any of its members, shall have authority to establish reasonable
compensation of all directors for services to the Corporation as directors,
officers or otherwise notwithstanding any director conflict of interest.  By
resolution of the Board of Directors, the directors may be paid their expenses,
if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board.  No such payment previously
mentioned in this Section shall preclude any director from serving the
Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.

    SECTION 13.  PRESUMPTION OF ASSENT.  A director of the Corporation who is
present at a meeting of the Board of Directors at which action on any corporate
matter is taken shall be conclusively presumed to have assented to the action
taken unless his or her dissent shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting
or unless he or she shall file his or her written dissent to such action with
the person acting as the secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof
or shall forward such dissent by registered or certified mail to the Secretary
of the Corporation immediately after the adjournment of the meeting.  Such right
to dissent shall not apply to a director who voted in favor of such action.

    SECTION 14.  REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS.  One or more of the directors may be
removed, with or without cause, at a meeting of shareholders by the affirmative
vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares then entitled to
vote at an election of directors, except that no director shall be removed at a
meeting of shareholders unless the notice of such meeting shall state that a
purpose of the meeting is to vote upon the removal of one or more directors
named in the notice, and then only the named director or directors may be
removed at such meeting.  If a director has been elected by a class or series of
shares, he may be removed only by the shareholders of that class or series.

                                      ARTICLE IV

                                       OFFICERS

    SECTION 1.  NUMBER.  The officers of the Corporation shall be a President,
one or more Vice-Presidents, a Treasurer, a Secretary, and such Assistant
Treasurers, Assistant Secretaries and other officers as may be elected or
appointed by the Board of Directors.  Any two or more offices may be held by the
same person.
                                          8
<PAGE>

    SECTION 2.  ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE.  The officers of the Corporation
shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors at the first meeting of the
Board of Directors held after each annual meeting of shareholders.  If the
election of officers shall not be held at such meeting, such election shall be
held as soon thereafter as conveniently may be.  Vacancies may be filled or new
offices created and filled at any meeting of the Board of Directors.  Each
officer shall hold office until his successor shall have been duly elected and
shall have qualified or until his death or until he shall resign or shall have
been removed in the manner hereinafter provided.  Election of an officer shall
not of itself create contract rights.  Any officer may resign at any time by
giving notice to the Board of Directors or to the President or the Secretary.  A
resignation of an officer need not be accepted in order to be effective.

    SECTION 3.  REMOVAL.  Any officer elected or appointed by the Board of
Directors may be removed by the Board of Directors whenever in its judgment the
best interest of the Corporation would be served thereby, but such removal shall
be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed.

    SECTION 4.  VACANCIES.  A vacancy in any office because of death,
resignation, removal, disqualification or otherwise, may be filled by the Board
of Directors for the unexpired portion of the term.

    SECTION 5.  PRESIDENT.  The President shall be the principal executive 
officer of the Corporation.  Subject to the direction and control of the 
Board of Directors, he/she shall, in general: supervise and control the 
business and affairs of the Corporation; see that the resolutions and 
directions of the Board of Directors are carried into effect except in those 
instances in which that responsibility is specifically assigned to some other 
person by the Board of Directors; and discharge all duties incident to the 
office of president and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board 
of Directors from time to time. He/she shall preside at all meetings of the 
shareholders and of the Board of Directors.  Except in those instances in 
which the authority to execute is expressly delegated to another officer or 
agent of the Corporation or a different mode of execution is expressly 
prescribed by the Board of Directors or these by-laws, he/she may execute for 
the Corporation certificates for its shares, and any contracts, deeds, 
mortgages, bonds, or other instruments which the Board of Directors has 
authorized to be executed, and he/she may accomplish such execution either 
under or without the seal (if any) of the Corporation and either individually 
or with the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary, or any other officer 
thereunto authorized by the Board of Directors, according to the requirements 
of the form of the instrument.  He/she may vote all securities which the 
Corporation is entitled to vote except as and to the extent such authority 
shall be vested in a different officer or agent of the Corporation by the 
Board of Directors.

    SECTION 6.  THE VICE PRESIDENTS.  The Vice President (or in the event there
be more than one Vice President, each of the Vice Presidents) shall assist the

                                          9
<PAGE>

President in the discharge of his/her duties as the President may direct and
shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him/her
by the President or by the Board of Directors.  In the absence of the President
or in the event of his/her inability or refusal to act, the Vice President (or
in the event there be more than one Vice President, the Vice Presidents in the
order designated by the Board of Directors, or by the President if the Board of
Directors has not made such a designation, or in the absence of any designation,
then in the order of seniority of tenure as Vice President) shall perform the
duties of the President, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be
subject to all the restrictions upon the President.  Except in those instances
in which the authority to execute is expressly delegated to another officer or
agent of the Corporation or a different mode of execution is expressly
prescribed by the Board of Directors or these by-laws, the Vice President (or
each of them if there are more than one) may execute for the Corporation
certificates for its shares and any contracts, deeds, mortgages, bonds or other
instruments which the Board of Directors has authorized to be executed, and
he/she may accomplish such execution either under or without the seal (if any)
of the Corporation and either individually or with the Secretary, any Assistant
Secretary, or any other officer thereunto authorized by the Board of Directors,
according to the requirements of the form of the instrument, except when a
different mode of execution is expressly prescribed by the Board of Directors or
these by-laws.

    SECTION 7.  THE TREASURER.  The Treasurer shall: (a) have charge of and be
responsible for the maintenance of adequate books of account for the
Corporation;  (b) have charge and custody of all funds and securities of the
Corporation, and be responsible therefor and for the receipt and disbursement
thereof; and (c) perform all the duties incident to the office of treasurer and
such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the President
or by the Board of Directors.  If required by the Board of Directors, the
Treasurer shall give a bond for the faithful discharge of his duties in such sum
and with such surety or sureties as the Board of Directors may determine.

    SECTION 8.  THE SECRETARY.  The Secretary shall: (a) record the minutes of
the shareholders' and of the Board of Directors' meetings in one or more books
provided for that purpose; (b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance
with the provisions of these by-laws; (c) be custodian of the corporate records
and of the seal (if any) of the Corporation; (d) keep a register of the
post-office address of each shareholder which shall be furnished to the
Secretary by such shareholder; (e) sign, with the President or a Vice President
or any other officer thereunto authorized by the Board of Directors,
certificates for shares of the Corporation, the issue of which shall have been
authorized by the Board of Directors, and any contracts, deeds, mortgages,
bonds, or other instruments which the Board of Directors has authorized to be
executed, according to the requirements of the form of the instrument, except
when a different mode of execution is expressly prescribed by the Board of
Directors or these by-laws; (f) have general charge of the stock transfer books
of the Corporation; (g) have authority to certify the by-laws, resolutions of
the shareholders and Board of Directors

                                          10
<PAGE>

and committees thereof, and other documents of the Corporation as true and 
correct copies thereof, and (h) perform all duties incident to the office of
secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him/her
by the President or by the Board of Directors.

    SECTION 9.  ASSISTANT TREASURERS AND ASSISTANT SECRETARIES.
The Assistant Treasurers and Assistant Secretaries shall perform such duties as
shall be assigned to them by the Treasurer or the Secretary, respectively, or by
the President or the Board of Directors.  The Assistant Secretaries may sign
with the President, or a Vice President, or any other officer thereunto
authorized by the Board of Directors, certificates for shares of the
Corporation, the issue of which shall have been authorized by the Board of
Directors, and any contracts, deeds, mortgages, bonds, or other instruments
which the Board of Directors has authorized to be executed, according to the
requirements of the form of the instrument, except when a different mode of
execution is expressly prescribed by the Board of Directors or these by-laws.
The Assistant Treasurers shall respectively, if required by the Board of
Directors, give bonds for the faithful discharge of their duties in such sums
and with such sureties as the board of directors shall determine.

    SECTION 10.  SALARIES.  The salaries of the officers shall be fixed from
time to time by the Board of Directors and no officer shall be prevented from
receiving such salary by reason of the fact that he is also a director of the
Corporation.

                                      ARTICLE V

                        CONTRACTS, LOANS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS

    SECTION 1.  CONTRACTS.  The Board of Directors may authorize any officer or
officers, agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any
instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, and such authority
may be general or confined to specific instances.

    SECTION 2.  LOANS.  No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the
Corporation and no evidences of indebtedness shall be issued in its name unless
authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors.

    SECTION 3.  CHECKS, DRAFTS, ETC.  All checks, drafts or other orders for
the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the
name of the Corporation, shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent or
agents of the Corporation and in such manner as shall from time to time be
determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.

    SECTION 4.  DEPOSITS.  All funds of the Corporation not otherwise employed
shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Corporation in such
banks, trust companies or other depositaries as the Board of Directors may
select.


                                          11
<PAGE>

                                      ARTICLE VI

                              SHARES AND THEIR TRANSFER

    SECTION 1.  SHARES REPRESENTED BY CERTIFICATES AND UNCERTIFICATED SHARES.
The issued shares of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates or
shall be uncertificated shares.

    Certificates representing shares of the Corporation shall be signed by the
appropriate officers and may be sealed with the seal (if any) or a facsimile of
the seal of the Corporation.  If a certificate is countersigned by a transfer
agent or registrar, other than the Corporation or its employee, any other
signatures may be facsimile.  Each certificate representing shares shall be
consecutively numbered or otherwise identified, and shall also state the name of
the person to whom issued, the number and class of shares (with designation of
series, if any), the date of issue, and that the Corporation is organized under
Delaware law.  If the Corporation is authorized to issue shares of more than one
class or of series within a class, the certificate shall also contain such
information or statement as may be required by law.

    Unless prohibited by the certificate of incorporation, the Board of
Directors may provide by resolution that some or all of any class or series of
shares shall be uncertificated shares.  Any such resolution shall not apply to
shares represented by a certificate until the certificate has been surrendered
to the Corporation.  Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of
uncertificated shares, the Corporation shall send the registered owner thereof a
written notice of all information that would appear on a certificate.  Except as
otherwise expressly provided by law, the rights and obligations of the holders
of uncertificated shares shall be as identical to those of the holders of
certificates representing shares of the same class and series.

    The name and address of each shareholder, the number and class of shares
held and the date on which the shares were issued shall be entered on the books
of the Corporation.  The person in whose name shares stand on the books of the
Corporation shall be deemed the owner thereof for all purposes as regards the
Corporation.

    SECTION 2.  LOST CERTIFICATES.  If a certificate representing shares has
allegedly been lost or destroyed the Board of Directors may in its discretion,
except as may be required by law, direct that a new certificate be issued upon
such indemnification and other reasonable requirements as it may impose.

    SECTION 3.  TRANSFER OF SHARES.  Transfer of shares of the Corporation
shall be recorded on the books of the Corporation.  Transfer of shares
represented by a certificate, except in the case of a lost or destroyed
certificate, shall be made on surrender for cancellation of the certificate for
such shares.  A certificate presented for transfer must be duly endorsed and
accompanied by proper guaranty of signature and

                                          12
<PAGE>

other appropriate assurances that the endorsement is effective.  Transfer of 
an uncertificated share shall be made on receipt by the Corporation of an 
instruction from the registered owner or other appropriate person.  The 
instruction shall be in writing or a communication in such form as may be 
agreed upon in writing by the Corporation.


                                     ARTICLE VII

                                     FISCAL YEAR

    The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the
Board of Directors.

                                     ARTICLE VIII

                                    DISTRIBUTIONS

    The Board of Directors may authorize, and the Corporation may make,
distributions to its shareholders, subject to any restrictions in its
certificate of incorporation or provided by law.

                                      ARTICLE IX

                                         SEAL

    The corporate seal, if any, may be used by causing it or a facsimile
thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced, provided
that the affixing of the corporate seal to an instrument shall not give the
instrument additional force or effect, or change the construction thereof, and
the use of the corporate seal, if any, is not mandatory.

                                      ARTICLE X

                                   WAIVER OF NOTICE

    Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of these
by-laws or under the provisions of the certificate of incorporation or under the
provisions of the General Corporation Law, a waiver thereof in writing, signed
by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the
time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice.
Attendance at any meeting shall constitute waiver of notice thereof unless the
person at the meeting objects to the holding of the meeting because proper
notice was not given.

                                          13
<PAGE>
                                      ARTICLE XI

                                   INDEMNIFICATION

    Each person who at any time is or shall have been a director, officer,
employee or agent of this Corporation, or is or shall have been serving at the
request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall be
indemnified by this Corporation in accordance with and to the full extent
permitted by the General Corporation Law.  The foregoing right of
indemnification shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which a
person seeking indemnification may be entitled under any by-law, agreement, vote
of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.  If authorized by the
Board of Directors, the Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on
behalf of any person to the full extent permitted by the General Corporation
Law.

                                     ARTICLE XII

                                      AMENDMENTS

    Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, these
by-laws may be made, altered, amended or repealed by the shareholders or the
Board of Directors, but no by-law adopted by the shareholders may be altered,
amended or repealed by the Board of Directors.

                                          14

<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 3.05

                             CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

                                          OF

                         MANSFIELD PLUMBING PRODUCTS, INC.

                               (A Delaware Corporation)

    FIRST:    NAME.  The name of the Corporation is Mansfield Plumbing
Products, Inc.

    SECOND:   DELAWARE OFFICE AND REGISTERED AGENT.  The address of the
registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is 229 South State
Street, in the City of Dover, County of Kent.  The name of its registered agent
for service of process at such address is United States Corporation Company.

    THIRD:    PURPOSE.  The nature of the business or purposes of the
Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations
may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. 
The Corporation shall possess and exercise all the powers and privileges granted
by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, by any other law or by
this Certificate, together with any powers incidental thereto as far as such
powers and privileges are necessary or convenient to the conduct, promotion or
attainment of the purposes of the Corporation.

    FOURTH:   CAPITAL STOCK.  The total number of shares of stock which the
Corporation shall have authority to issue is 1,000 shares, par value $.10 per
share.

    FIFTH:    MANAGEMENT OF THE AFFAIRS OF THE CORPORATION.  The following
provisions relate to the management of the business and the conduct of the
affairs of the Corporation and are inserted for the purpose of creating,
defining, limiting and regulating the powers of the Corporation and its
Directors and stockholders:

    (1)  The election of Directors may be conducted in any manner the By-Laws   
 provide, and need not be by written ballot.

    (2)  The Board of Directors shall have the power to make, alter, amend or   
 repeal the By-Laws of the Corporation, except to the extent that the By-Laws
 otherwise provide.

<PAGE>


    SIXTH:    REORGANIZATION.  Whenever a compromise or arrangement is 
proposed between this Corporation and its creditors or any class of them 
and/or between this Corporation and its stockholders or any class of them, 
any court of equitable jurisdiction within the State of Delaware may, on the 
application in a summary way of this Corporation or of any creditor or 
stockholder thereof or on the application of any receiver or receivers 
appointed for this Corporation under the provisions of section 291 of Title 8 
of the Delaware Code or on the application of trustees in dissolution or of 
any receiver or receivers appointed for this Corporation under the provisions 
of section 279 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code order a meeting of the 
creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of 
stockholders of this Corporation, as the case may be, to be summoned in such 
manner as the said court directs.  If a majority in number representing 
three-fourths in value of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the 
stockholders or the class of stockholders of this Corporation, as the case 
may be, agree to any compromise or arrangement and to any reorganization of 
this Corporation as consequence of such compromise or arrangement, the said 
compromise or arrangement and the said reorganization shall, if sanctioned by 
the court to which the said application has been made, be binding on all the 
creditors or class of creditors, and/or on all the stockholders or class of 
stockholders, of this Corporation, as the case may be, and also on this 
Corporation.

    SEVENTH:  RESERVATION OF RIGHT TO AMEND.  The Corporation reserves the
right to amend or repeal any provisions contained in this Certificate of
Incorporation from time to time and at any time in the manner now or hereafter
prescribed by the law of the State of Delaware, and all rights herein conferred
upon stockholders, Directors and officers are subject to this reserved power.

    EIGHTH:   INCORPORATOR.  The name and post office address of the sole
incorporator are Ann B. FitzSimons, Richards O'Neil & Allegaert, 660 Madison
Avenue, New York, New York 10021.

    I, THE UNDERSIGNED, being the incorporator, for the purpose of forming a
corporation under the laws of the State of Delaware do make, file and record
this Certificate of Incorporation, do certify that the facts herein stated are
true, and accordingly, have hereto set my hand and seal this 28th day of
February, 1986.




                                            /s/ Ann B. FitzSimons
                                            -----------------------------------
                                            Ann B. FitzSimons, Incorporator


                                          2

<PAGE>

                                                                EXHIBIT 3.06  


                                                              Revised 8/1/96

                                                                  

                                       BY-LAWS

                                          OF

                          MANSFIELD PLUMBING PRODUCTS, INC.

                                      ARTICLE I

                                       OFFICES

    Mansfield Plumbing Products, Inc.  (the "Corporation") shall continuously
maintain in the State of Delaware a registered office and a registered agent
whose business office is identical with such registered office, and may have
other offices within or without the State.

                                      ARTICLE II

                                     SHAREHOLDERS

    SECTION 1.  ANNUAL MEETING.  An annual meeting of the shareholders shall be
held in July of each year or at such time as the Board of Directors may
designate for the purpose of electing directors and for the transaction of such
other business as may come before the meeting.  If the election of directors
shall not be held on the day designated herein for any annual meeting, or at any
adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors shall cause the election to be held
at a meeting of the shareholders as soon thereafter as may be convenient.

    SECTION 2.  SPECIAL MEETINGS.  Special meetings of the shareholders may be
called either by the President, by the Board of Directors or by the holders of
not less than one-fifth of all the outstanding shares of the Corporation
entitled to vote, for the purpose or purposes stated in the call of the meeting.

    SECTION 3.  PLACE OF MEETING.  The Board of Directors may designate any
place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the place of meeting
for any annual meeting or for any special meeting called by the Board of
Directors.  A waiver of notice signed by all shareholders may designate any
place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the place for the
holding of such meeting.  If no designation is made, or if a special meeting be
otherwise called, the place of meeting shall be at the Corporation's principal
executive office of the Corporation in Chicago, Illinois, except as otherwise
provided in Section 5 of this Article II.

<PAGE>

    SECTION 4.  NOTICE OF MEETINGS.  Written notice stating the place, date,
and hour of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or
purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be delivered not less than 10
nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting, or in the case of a
merger, consolidation, share exchange, dissolution or sale, lease or
exchange of assets not less than 20 nor more than 60 days before the date of the
meeting, either personally or by mail, by or at the direction of the President,
or the Secretary, or the officer or persons calling the meeting, to each
shareholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting.  If mailed, such notice
shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail
addressed to the shareholder at his or her address as it appears on the records
of the corporation, with postage thereon prepaid.  When a meeting is adjourned
to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if
the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment
is taken.

    SECTION 5.  MEETING OF ALL SHAREHOLDERS.  If all of the shareholders shall
meet at any time and place, either within or without the State of Delaware, and
consent to the holding of a meeting at such time and place, such meeting shall
be valid without call or notice, and at such meeting any corporate action may be
taken.

    SECTION 6.  CLOSING OF TRANSFER BOOKS OR FIXING OF RECORD DATE.  For the
purpose of determining the shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any
meeting of shareholders, or shareholders entitled to receive payment of any
dividend, or in order to make a determination of shareholders for any other
proper purpose, the Board of Directors may fix in advance a date as the record
date for any such determination of shareholders, such date in any case to be not
more than 60 days and for a meeting of shareholders, not less than 10 days, or
in the case of a merger, consolidation, share exchange, dissolution or sale,
lease or exchange of assets, not less than 20 days before the date of such
meeting.  If no record date is fixed for the determination of shareholders
entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders, or shareholders
entitled to receive payment of a dividend, the date on which notice of the
meeting is mailed or the date on which the resolution of the Board of Directors
declaring such dividend is adopted, as the case may be, shall be the record date
for such determination of shareholders.  When a determination of shareholders
entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders has been made as provided in
this Section, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof.

    SECTION 7.  VOTING LISTS.  The officer or agent having charge of the
transfer book for shares of the Corporation shall make, within 20 days after the
record date for a meeting of shareholders or 10 days before such meeting,
whichever is earlier, a complete list of the shareholders entitled to vote at
such meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, with the address of and the number
of shares held by each, which list, for a period of 10 days prior to such
meeting, shall be kept on file at the principal executive office of the
Corporation in Chicago, Illinois and shall be subject to inspection by any
shareholder, and to copying at the shareholder's expense, at any time during
usual business hours.  Such list shall also be produced and kept open at the
time and 


                                          2

<PAGE>

place of the meeting and shall be subject to the inspection of any
shareholder during the whole time of the meeting.  The original share ledger or
transfer book, or a duplicate thereof, shall be prima facie evidence as to who
are the shareholders entitled to examine such list or share ledger or transfer
book or to vote at any meeting of shareholders.

    SECTION 8.  QUORUM.  The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares 
of the Corporation entitled to vote on a matter, represented in person or by 
proxy, shall constitute a quorum for consideration of such matter at any 
meeting of shareholders, but in no event shall a quorum consist of less than 
one-third of the outstanding shares entitled so to vote; provided that if 
less than a majority of the outstanding shares are represented at said 
meeting, a majority of the shares so represented may adjourn the meeting at 
any time without further notice.  If a quorum is present, the affirmative 
vote of the majority of the shares represented at the meeting shall be the 
act of the shareholders, unless the vote of a greater number or voting by 
classes is required by the Delaware General Corporation Law (as now in effect 
or as amended from time to time, the "General Corporation Law"), the 
certificate of incorporation or these by-laws.  At any adjourned meeting at 
which a quorum shall be present, any business may be transacted which might 
have been transacted at the original meeting.  Withdrawal of shareholders 
from any meeting shall not cause failure of a duly constituted quorum at that 
meeting.

    SECTION 9.  PROXIES.  At all meetings of shareholders, a shareholder may
vote by proxy executed in writing by the shareholder or by his duly authorized
attorney-in-fact.  Such proxy shall be filed with the Secretary of the
Corporation before or at the time of the meeting.  No proxy shall be valid after
eleven months from the date of its execution, unless otherwise provided in the
proxy.

    SECTION 10.  VOTING OF SHARES.  Unless otherwise provided in the
certificate of incorporation, each outstanding share shall be entitled to one
(1) vote upon each matter submitted to vote at a meeting of shareholders.

    SECTION 11.  VOTING OF SHARES BY CERTAIN HOLDERS.  Shares held by the
Corporation in a fiduciary capacity may be voted and shall be counted in
determining the total number of outstanding shares entitled to vote at any given
time.

    Shares registered in the name of another corporation, domestic or foreign,
may be voted by any officer, agent, proxy or other legal representative
authorized to vote such shares under the law of incorporation or such
corporation.  The Corporation may treat the president or other person holding
the position of chief executive officer of such other corporation as authorized
to vote such shares, together with any other person indicated and any other
holder of any office indicated by the corporate shareholder to the Corporation
as a person or an officer authorized to vote such shares.  Such persons and
officers indicated shall be registered by the Corporation on the transfer books
for


                                          3

<PAGE>

shares and included in any voting list prepared in accordance with Section 7
of this Article II.

    Shares registered in the name of a deceased person, a minor ward or a
person under legal disability, may be voted by his or her administrator,
executor or court appointed guardian, either in person or by proxy without a
transfer of such shares into the name of such administrator, executor or court
appointed guardian.  Shares registered in the name of a trustee may be voted by
him or her, either in person or by proxy.

    Shares registered in the name of a receiver may be voted by such receiver,
and shares held by or under the control of a receiver may be voted by such
receiver without the transfer thereof into his or her name if authority to do so
is contained in an appropriate order of the court by which such receiver was
appointed.

    A shareholder whose shares are pledged shall be entitled to vote such
shares until the shares have been transferred into the name of the pledgee, and
thereafter the pledgee shall be entitled to vote the shares so transferred.

    Any number of shareholders may create a voting trust for the purpose of
conferring upon a trustee or trustees the right to vote or otherwise represent
their shares, for a period not to exceed 10 years, by entering into a written
voting trust agreement specifying the terms and conditions of the voting trust,
and by transferring their shares to such trustee or trustees for the purpose of
the agreement.  Any such trust agreement shall not become effective until a
counterpart of the agreement is deposited with the Corporation at its registered
office.  The counterpart of the voting trust agreement so deposited with the
Corporation shall be subject to the same right of examination by a shareholder
of the Corporation, in person or by agent or attorney, as are the books and
records of the Corporation, and shall be subject to examination by any holder of
a beneficial interest in the voting trust, either in person or by agent or
attorney, at any reasonable time for any proper purpose.

    Shares of its own stock belonging to this Corporation shall not be voted,
directly or indirectly, at any meeting and shall not be counted in determining
the total number of outstanding shares at any given time, but shares of its own
stock held by it in a fiduciary capacity may be voted and shall be counted in
determining the total number of outstanding shares at any given time.

    SECTION 12.  INSPECTORS.  At any meeting of shareholders, the presiding
officer may, or upon the request of any shareholder, shall appoint one or more
persons as inspectors for such meeting.

    Such inspectors shall ascertain and report the number of shares represented
at the meeting, based upon their determination of the validity and effect of
proxies; count 


                                          4

<PAGE>

all votes and report the results; and do such other acts as are proper to 
conduct the election and voting with impartiality and fairness to all the 
shareholders.

    Each report of an inspector shall be in writing and signed by him or her or
by a majority of them if there be more than one inspector acting at such
meeting.  If there is more than one inspector, the report of a majority shall be
the report of the inspectors.  The report of the inspector or inspectors on the
number of shares represented at the meeting and the results of the voting shall
be prima facie evidence thereof.

    SECTION 13.  INFORMAL ACTION BY SHAREHOLDERS.  Any action required to be
taken at a meeting of the shareholders, or any other action which may be taken
at a meeting of the shareholders, may be taken without a meeting and without a
vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken shall be signed
(a) if 5 days prior notice of the proposed action is given in writing to all of
the shareholders entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter hereof, by
the holders of outstanding shares having not less than the minimum number of
votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at
which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voting or (b) by all
of the shareholders entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof.

    Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by
less than unanimous written consent shall be given in writing to those
shareholders who have not consented in writing.  In the event that the action
which is consented to is such as would have required the filing of a certificate
under any section of the General Corporation Law if such action had been voted
on by the shareholders at a meeting thereof, the certificate filed under such
section shall state, in lieu of any statement required by such section
concerning any vote of shareholders, that written consent has been given in
accordance with the provisions of the General Corporation Law and that written
notice has been given as provided in the General Corporation Law.

    SECTION 14.  VOTING BY BALLOT.  Voting on any question or in any election
may be by voice unless the presiding officer shall order or any shareholder
shall demand that voting be by ballot.

                                     ARTICLE III

                                      DIRECTORS

    SECTION 1.  GENERAL POWERS.  The business of the Corporation shall be
managed by or under the direction of its Board of Directors.

    SECTION 2.  NUMBER, TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS.  The number of directors of
the Corporation shall be at least one (1) but not more than eleven (11).  Each
director shall hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders; or
until his successor shall have been elected and qualified.  Directors need not
be residents of 


                                          5

<PAGE>

Delaware or shareholders of the Corporation.  The number of directors may be 
increased or decreased from time to time by the amendment of this Section 2.  
No decrease shall have the effect of shortening the term of any incumbent 
director.

    SECTION 3.  REGULAR MEETINGS.  A regular meeting of the Board of Directors
shall be held without other notice than this by-law, immediately after the
annual meeting of shareholders.  The Board of Directors may provide, by
resolution, the time and place for holding of additional regular meetings
without other notice than such resolution.

    SECTION 4.  SPECIAL MEETINGS.  Special meetings of the Board of Directors
may be called by or at the request of the President or any two directors.  The
person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors
may fix any place as the place for holding any special meeting of the Board of
Directors called by them.

    SECTION 5.  NOTICE.  Notice of any special meeting shall be given at least
two business days previous thereto by written notice to each director at his
business address.  If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when
deposited in the United States mail so addressed, with postage thereon prepaid. 
If notice be given by telegram, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when
the telegram is delivered to the telegram company.  The attendance of a director
at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where
a director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the
transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or
convened.  Neither the business to be transacted at,
nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors
need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting.

    SECTION 6.  QUORUM.  Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of
incorporation, a majority of the number of directors elected by the shareholders
as indicated under Section 2 of this Article III shall constitute a quorum for
transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, provided that
if less than a majority of such number of directors are present at said meeting,
a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting at any time without
further notice.

    Unless specifically prohibited by the certificate of incorporation, members
of the Board of Directors or of any committee of the Board of Directors may
participate in and act at any meeting of the Board or such committee through the
use of a conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of
which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. 
Participation in such meeting shall constitute attendance and presence in person
at the meeting of the person or persons so participating.

    SECTION 7.  MANNER OF ACTING.  The act of the majority of the directors
present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board
of 


                                          6

<PAGE>

Directors, unless the act of a greater number is required by statute, these
by-laws, or the certificate of incorporation.

    SECTION 8.  VACANCIES.  Any vacancy on the Board of Directors and any
directorship to be filled by reason of an increase in the number of directors
may be filled by election at the next annual or special meeting of shareholders.
A majority of the Board of Directors may fill any vacancy prior to such annual
or special meeting of shareholders.

    SECTION 9.  RESIGNATION OF DIRECTORS.  A director may resign at any time
upon written notice to the Board of Directors, its chairman, if any, or to the
chief executive officer or Secretary of the Corporation.

    SECTION 10.  INFORMAL ACTION BY DIRECTORS.  Unless specifically prohibited 
by the certificate of incorporation or by other provisions of these by-laws, any
action required to be taken at a meeting of the Board of Directors, or any other
action which may be taken at a meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any
committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing,
setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all the directors entitled
to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof, or by all the members of
such committee, as the case may be.  Any such consent signed by all the
directors or all the members of the committee shall have the same effect as a
unanimous vote, and may be stated as such in any document filed with the
Secretary of State or with anyone else.

    SECTION 11.  COMMITTEES.  A majority of the directors fixed by these 
by-laws may, by resolution, create one or more committees and appoint members 
of the Board to serve on any one or more of such committees.  Each committee 
shall have two or more members who shall serve at the pleasure of the Board.  
A majority of any committee shall constitute a quorum and a majority of a 
quorum is necessary for committee action.  Each committee, to the extent 
provided by the Board of Directors in such resolution, shall have and 
exercise all of the authority of the Board of Directors in the management of 
the Corporation, except that a committee may not: authorize distributions; 
approve or recommend to shareholders any act required by statute to be 
approved by shareholders; fill vacancies on the Board or on any of its 
committees; elect or remove officers or fix the compensation of any member of 
the committee; adopt, amend or repeal the by-laws; approve a plan or merger 
not requiring shareholder approval; authorize or approve the reacquisition of 
shares, except according to a general formula or method prescribed by the 
Board; authorize or approve the issuance or sale, or contract for sale, of 
shares or determine the designation and relative rights, preferences, and 
limitations of a series of shares, except that the Board may direct a 
committee to fix the specific terms of issuance or sale or contract for sale 
or the number of shares to be allocated to particular employees under an 
employee benefit plan; or, amend, alter, repeal, or take action inconsistent 
with any resolution or action of the Board of Directors when the resolution 
or action of the Board of Directors provides by its terms that it shall not 
be amended, altered or repealed by action of a committee. 


                                          7
<PAGE>

Vacancies in the membership of any committee shall be filled by the Board of 
Directors.  Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its proceedings and 
report the same to the Board when required.  A committee may act by unanimous 
consent in writing without a meeting and, subject to action by the Board of 
Directors, each committee, by a majority vote of its members, shall determine 
the time and place of meetings and the notice therefor.

    SECTION 12.  COMPENSATION.  The Board of Directors, by the affirmative vote
of a majority of directors then in office, and irrespective of any personal
interest of any of its members, shall have authority to establish reasonable
compensation of all directors for services to the Corporation as directors,
officers or otherwise notwithstanding any director conflict of interest.  By
resolution of the Board of Directors, the directors may be paid their expenses,
if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board.  No such payment previously
mentioned in this Section shall preclude any director from serving the
Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.

    SECTION 13.  PRESUMPTION OF ASSENT.  A director of the Corporation who is
present at a meeting of the Board of Directors at which action on any corporate
matter is taken shall be conclusively presumed to have assented to the action
taken unless his or her dissent shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting
or unless he or she shall file his or her written dissent to such action with
the person acting as the secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof
or shall forward such dissent by registered or certified mail to the Secretary
of the Corporation immediately after the adjournment of the meeting.  Such right
to dissent shall not apply to a director who voted in favor of such action.

    SECTION 14.  REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS.  One or more of the directors may be
removed, with or without cause, at a meeting of shareholders by the affirmative
vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares then entitled to
vote at an election of directors, except that no director shall be removed at a
meeting of shareholders unless the notice of such meeting shall state that a
purpose of the meeting is to vote upon the removal of one or more directors
named in the notice, and then only the named director or directors may be
removed at such meeting.  If a director has been elected by a class or series of
shares, he may be removed only by the shareholders of that class or series.

                                      ARTICLE IV

                                       OFFICERS

    SECTION 1.  NUMBER.  The officers of the Corporation shall be a President,
one or more Vice-Presidents, a Treasurer, a Secretary, and such Assistant
Treasurers, Assistant Secretaries and other officers as may be elected or
appointed by the Board of Directors.  Any two or more offices may be held by the
same person.


                                          8

<PAGE>

    SECTION 2.  ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE.  The officers of the Corporation
shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors at the first meeting of the
Board of Directors held after each annual meeting of shareholders.  If the
election officers shall not be held at such meeting, such election shall be held
as soon thereafter as conveniently may be.  Vacancies may be filled or new
offices created and filled at any meeting of the Board of Directors.  Each
officer shall hold office until his successor shall have been duly elected and
shall have qualified or until his death or until he shall resign or shall have
been removed in the manner hereinafter provided.  Election of an officer shall
not of itself create contract rights.  Any officer may resign at any time by
giving notice to the Board of Directors or to the President or the Secretary.  A
resignation of an officer need not be accepted in order to be effective.

    SECTION 3.  REMOVAL.  Any officer elected or appointed by the Board of
Directors may be removed by the Board of Directors whenever in its judgment the
best interest of the Corporation would be served thereby, but such removal shall
be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed.

    SECTION 4.  VACANCIES.  A vacancy in any office because of death,
resignation, removal, disqualification or otherwise, may be filled by the Board
of Directors for the unexpired portion of the term.

    SECTION 5.  PRESIDENT.  The President shall be the principal executive 
office of the Corporation.  Subject to the direction and control of the Board 
of Directors, he/she shall, in general: supervise and control the business 
and affairs of the Corporation; see that the resolutions and directions of 
the Board of Directors are carried into effect except in those instances in 
which that responsibility is specifically assigned to some other person by 
the Board of Directors; and discharge all duties incident to the office of 
president and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of 
Directors from time to time. He/she shall preside at all meetings of the 
shareholders and of the Board of Directors.  Except in those instances in 
which the authority to execute is expressly delegated to another officer or 
agent of the Corporation or a different mode of execution is expressly 
prescribed by the Board of Directors or these by-laws, he/she may execute for 
the Corporation certificates for its shares, and any contracts, deeds, 
mortgages, bonds, or other instruments which the Board of Directors has 
authorized to be executed, and he/she may accomplish such execution either 
under or without the seal (if any) of the Corporation and either individually 
or with the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary, or any other officer 
thereunto authorized by the Board of Directors, according to the requirements 
of the form of the instrument.  He/she may vote all securities which the 
Corporation is entitled to vote except as and to the extent such authority 
shall be vested in a different officer or agent of the Corporation by the 
Board of Directors.

    SECTION 6.  THE VICE PRESIDENTS.  The Vice President (or in the event there
be more than one Vice President, each of the Vice Presidents) shall assist the


                                          9

<PAGE>

President in the discharge of his/her duties as the President may direct and
shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him/her
by the President or by the Board of Directors. In the absence of the President
or in the event of his/her inability or refusal to act, the Vice President (or
in the event there be more than one Vice President, the Vice Presidents in the
order designated by the Board of Directors, or by the President if the Board of
Directors has not made such a designation1 or in the absence of any designation,
then in the order of seniority of tenure as Vice President) shall perform the
duties of the President, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be
subject to all the restrictions upon the President. Except in those instances in
which the authority to execute is expressly delegated to another officer or
agent of the Corporation or a different mode of execution is expressly
prescribed by the Board of Directors or these by-laws, the Vice President (or
each of them if there are more than one) may execute for the Corporation
certificates for its shares and any contracts, deeds, mortgages, bonds or other
instruments which the Board of Directors has authorized to be executed, and
he/she may accomplish such execution either under or without the seal (if any)
of the Corporation and either individually or with the Secretary, any Assistant
Secretary, or any other officer thereunto authorized by the Board of Directors,
according to the requirements of the form of the instrument, except when a
different mode of execution is expressly prescribed by the Board of Directors or
these by-laws.

    SECTION 7.  THE TREASURER.  The Treasurer shall: (a) have charge of and be
responsible for the maintenance of adequate books of account for the
Corporation; (b) have charge and custody of all funds and securities of the
Corporation, and be responsible therefor and for the receipt and disbursement
thereof; and (c) perform all the duties incident to the office of treasurer and
such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the President
or by the Board of Directors. If required by the Board of Directors, the
Treasurer shall give a bond for the faithful discharge of his duties in such sum
and with such surety or sureties as the Board of Directors may determine.

    SECTION 8.  THE SECRETARY.  The Secretary shall: (a) record the minutes of
the shareholders' and of the Board of Directors' meetings in one or more books
provided for that purpose; (b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance
with the provisions of these by-law; (c) be custodian of the corporate records
and of the seal (if any) of the Corporation; (d) keep a register of the post
office address of each shareholder which shall be furnished to the Secretary by
such shareholder; (e) sign, with the President or a Vice President or any other
officer thereunto authorized by the Board of Directors, certificates for shares
of the Corporation, the issue of which shall have been authorized by the Board
of Directors, and any contracts, deeds, mortgages, bonds, or other instruments
which the Board of Directors has authorized to be executed, according to the
requirements of the form of the instrument, except when a different mode of
execution is expressly prescribed by the Board of Directors or these by-laws;
(f) have general charge of the stock transfer books of the Corporation; (g) have
authority to certify the by-laws, resolutions of the shareholders and Board of
Directors 


                                         10

<PAGE>

and committees thereof, and other documents of the Corporation as true and 
correct copies thereof, and (h) perform all duties incident to the office of 
secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to 
him/her by the President or by the Board of Directors.

    SECTION 9.  ASSISTANT TREASURERS AND ASSISTANT SECRETARIES.  The Assistant
Treasurers and Assistant Secretaries shall perform such duties as shall be
assigned to them by the Treasurer or the Secretary, respectively, or by the
President or the Board of Directors. The Assistant Secretaries may sign with the
President, or a Vice President, or any other officer thereunto authorized by the
Board of Directors, certificates for shares of the Corporation, the issue of
which shall have been authorized by the Board of Directors, and any contracts,
deeds, mortgages, bonds, or other instruments which the Board of Directors has
authorized to be executed, according to the requirements of the form of the
instrument, except when a different mode of execution is expressly prescribed by
the Board of Directors or these by-laws. The Assistant Treasurers shall
respectively, if required by the Board of Directors, give bonds for the faithful
discharge of their duties in such sums and with such sureties as the board of
directors shall determine.

    SECTION 10.  SALARIES.   The salaries of the officers shall be fixed from
time to time by the Board of Directors and no officer shall be prevented from
receiving such salary by reason of the fact that he is also a director of the
Corporation.

                                      ARTICLE V

                        CONTRACTS, LOANS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS

    SECTION 1.  CONTRACTS.  The Board of Directors may authorize any officer or
officers, agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any
instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, and such authority
may be general or confined to specific instances.

    SECTION 2.  LOANS.  No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the
Corporation and no evidences of indebtedness shall be issued in its name unless
authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors.

    SECTION 3.  CHECKS, DRAFTS, ETC.  All checks, drafts or other orders for
the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the
name of the Corporation, shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent or
agents of the Corporation and in such manner as shall from time to time be
determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.

    SECTION 4.  DEPOSITS.  All funds of the Corporation not otherwise employed
shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Corporation in such
banks, trust companies or other depositories as the Board of Directors may
select.


                                          11

<PAGE>

                                      ARTICLE VI

                              SHARES AND THEIR TRANSFER

    SECTION 1.  SHARES REPRESENTED BY CERTIFICATES AND UNCERTIFICATED SHARES. 
The issued shares of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates or
shall be uncertificated shares.

    Certificates representing shares of the Corporation shall be signed by the
appropriate officers and may be sealed with the seal (if any) or a facsimile of
the seal of the Corporation. If a certificate is countersigned by a transfer
agent or registrar, other than the Corporation or its employee, any other
signatures may be facsimile. Each certificate representing shares shall be
consecutively numbered or otherwise identified, and shall also state the name of
the person to whom issued, the number and class of shares (with designation of
series, if any), the date of issue, and that the Corporation is organized under
Delaware law. If the Corporation is authorized to issue shares of more than one
class or of series within a class, the certificate shall also contain such
information or statement as may be required by law.

    Unless prohibited by the certificate of incorporation, the Board of
Directors may provide by resolution that some or all of any class or series of
shares shall be uncertificated shares. Any such resolution shall not apply to
shares represented by a certificate until the certificate has been surrendered
to the Corporation. Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of
uncertificated shares, the Corporation shall send the registered owner thereof a
written notice of all information that would appear on a certificate. Except as
otherwise expressly provided by law, the rights and obligations of the holders
of uncertificated shares shall be as identical to those of the holders of
certificates representing shares of the same class and series.

    The name and address of each shareholder, the number and class of shares
held and the date on which the shares were issued shall be entered on the books
of the Corporation. The person in whose name shares stand on the books of the
Corporation shall be deemed the owner thereof for all purposes as regards the
Corporation.

    SECTION 2.  LOST CERTIFICATES.  If a certificate representing shares has
allegedly been lost or destroyed the Board of Directors may in its discretion,
except as may be required by law, direct that a new certificate be issued upon
such indemnification and other reasonable requirements as it may impose.

    SECTION 3.  TRANSFER OF SHARES.  Transfer of shares of the Corporation
shall be recorded on the books of the Corporation. Transfer of shares
represented by a certificate, except in the case of a lost or destroyed
certificate, shall be made on surrender for cancellation of the certificate for
such shares. A certificate presented for transfer must be duly endorsed and
accompanied by proper guaranty of signature and 


                                          12

<PAGE>

other appropriate assurances that the endorsement is effective.  Transfer of 
an uncertificated share shall be made on receipt by the Corporation of an 
instruction from the registered owner or other appropriate person.  The 
instruction shall be in writing or a communication in such form as may be 
agreed upon in writing by the Corporation.

                                     ARTICLE VII

                                     FISCAL YEAR

    The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the
Board of Directors.

                                     ARTICLE VIII

                                    DISTRIBUTIONS

    The Board of Directors may authorize, and the Corporation may make,
distributions to its shareholders, subject to any restrictions in its
certificate of incorporation or provided by law.

                                      ARTICLE IX

                                         SEAL

    The corporate seal, if any, may be used by causing it or a facsimile
thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced, provided
that the affixing of the corporate seal to an instrument shall not give the
instrument additional force or effect, or change the construction thereof, and
the use of the corporate seal, if any, is not mandatory.

                                      ARTICLE X

                                   WAIVER OF NOTICE

Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of these
by-laws or under the provisions of the certificate of incorporation or under the
provisions of the General Corporation Law, a waiver thereof in writing, signed
by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the
time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. 
Attendance at any meeting shall constitute waiver of notice thereof unless the
person at the meeting objects to the holding of the meeting because proper
notice was not given.


                                          13

<PAGE>

                                      ARTICLE XI

                                   INDEMNIFICATION

    Each person who at any time is or shall have been a director, officer,
employee or agent of this Corporation, or is or shall have been serving at the
request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall be
indemnified by this Corporation in accordance with and to the full extent
permitted by the General Corporation Law.  The foregoing right of
indemnification shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which a
person seeking indemnification may be entitled under any by-law, agreement, vote
of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.  If authorized by the
Board of Directors, the Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on
behalf of any person to the full extent permitted by the General Corporation
Law.

                                     ARTICLE XII

                                      AMENDMENTS

    Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, these
by-laws may be made, altered, amended or repealed by the shareholders or the
Board of Directors, but no by-law adopted by the shareholders may be altered,
amended or repealed by the Board of Directors.


                                          14

<PAGE>

                                                                 EXHIBIT 3.07.1
                             CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

                                          OF

                                THE DeVILBISS COMPANY

                               (A Delaware Corporation)


    FIRST:    NAME.  The name of the Corporation is The DeVilbiss Company.

    SECOND:   DELAWARE OFFICE AND REGISTERED AGENT.  The address of the
registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is 229 South State
Street, City of Dover, County of Kent 19901.  The name of its registered agent
for service of process at such address is The Prentice-Hall Corporation System,
Inc.

    THIRD:    PURPOSE.  The nature of the business or purpose of the
Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations
may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. 
The Corporation shall possess end exercise all the powers and privileges granted
by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, by any other law or by
this Certificate, together with any powers incidental thereto as far as such
powers and privileges are necessary or convenient to the conduct, promotion or
attainment of the purposes of the Corporation.

    FOURTH:   CAPITAL STOCK.  The total number of shares of stock which the
Corporation shall have authority to issue is 3,000 shares of common stock, par
value $.10 per share.

    FIFTH:    MANAGEMENT OF THE AFFAIRS OF THE CORPORATION. The following
provisions relate to the management of the business and the conduct of the
affairs of the Corporation and are inserted for the purpose of creating,
defining, limiting and regulating the powers of the Corporation and its
directors and stockholders:

    (1)  The election of directors may be conducted in any manner the By-Laws   
provide, and need not be by written ballot.

    (2)  The Board of Directors shall have the power to make, alter, amend or  
repeal the By-Laws of the Corporation, except to the extent that the By-Laws
otherwise provide.

    SIXTH:    RESERVATION OF RIGHT TO AMEND.  The Corporation reserves the
right to amend or repeal any provisions contained in this Certificate of
Incorporation from time to time and at any time in the manner now or hereafter
prescribed by the 


<PAGE>

law of the State of Delaware, and all rights herein conferred
upon stockholders, directors and officers are subject to this reserved power.

    SEVENTH:  LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS.  No director of the Corporation shall be
liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of
fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the
director's duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts
or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a
knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law; or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an
improper personal benefit.

    EIGHTH:   INCORPORATOR.  The name and post office address of the sole
incorporator are William A. Newman, Esq., 885 Third Avenue, New York, New York
10022-4802.

    I, THE UNDERSIGNED, being the incorporator, for the purpose of forming a
corporation under the laws of the State of Delaware do make, file and record
this Certificate of Incorporation, do certify that the facts herein stated are
true, and accordingly, have hereto set my hand this 14th day of January, 1988.

                                            /s/ William A. Newman
                                            ---------------------------------
                                            William A. Newman, Incorporator


                                          2

<PAGE>

                                                                  EXHIBIT 3.07.2
                               CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

                                          OF

                             CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

                                          OF

                                THE DEVILBISS COMPANY

    We, Gus J. Athas, Vice President, and Bruce C. Strohm, Assistant Secretary,
of The DeVilbiss Company, a corporation existing under the laws of the State of
Delaware, do hereby certify as follows:

    FIRST:    That the name of the corporation is The DeVilbiss Company.

    SECOND:   That the Certificate of Incorporation of the corporation was
filed by the Secretary of State of Delaware on the 22nd day of January, 1988.

    THIRD:    That the Certificate of Incorporation of said Corporation has
been amended by striking out Article First thereof and by substituting in lieu
of said Article the following new Article First:

         "FIRST: The name of the Corporation is DeVilbiss Air Power Company."

    FOURTH:   That such amendment has been duly adopted in accordance with
provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware by the
unanimous written consent of the holders of all outstanding shares entitled to
vote thereon and that written notice of the corporate action has been given to
those stockholders who have not consented in writing, all in accordance with the
provisions of Section 228 of the General Corporation Law.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have signed this certificate this 21st day of March,
1991. 


                                THE DEVILBISS COMPANY,
                                a Delaware corporation

                                 By: /s/ Gus J. Athas
                                ------------------------------------------
                                     Gus J. Athas, Vice President
ATTEST:


By:  /s/ BRUCE C. STROHM
    ------------------------
     Bruce C. Strohm
     Assistant Secretary


                                          1

<PAGE>


                                                                    EXHIBIT 3.08

                                                                  Revised 8/1/96
                                       BY-LAWS

                                          OF

                             DEVILBISS AIR POWER COMPANY

                                      ARTICLE I

                                       OFFICES

    DeVilbiss Air Power Company (the "Corporation") shall continuously maintain
in the State of Delaware a registered office and a registered agent whose
business office is identical with such registered office, and may have other
offices within or without the State.

                                      ARTICLE II

                                     SHAREHOLDERS

    SECTION 1.  ANNUAL MEETING.  An annual meeting of the shareholders shall be
held in July of each year or at such time as the Board of Directors may
designate for the purpose of electing directors and for the transaction of such
other business as may come before the meeting.  If the election of directors
shall not be held on the day designated herein for any annual meeting, or at any
adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors shall cause the election to be held
at a meeting of the shareholders as soon thereafter as may be convenient.

    SECTION 2.  SPECIAL MEETINGS.  Special meetings of the shareholders may be
called either by the President, by the Board of Directors or by the holders of
not less than one-fifth of all the outstanding shares of the Corporation
entitled to vote, for the purpose or purposes stated in the call of the meeting.

    SECTION 3.  PLACE OF MEETING.  The Board of Directors may designate any
place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the place of meeting
for any annual meeting or for any special meeting called by the Board of
Directors.  A waiver of notice signed by all shareholders may designate any
place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the place for the
holding of such meeting.  If no designation is made, or if a special meeting be
otherwise called, the place of meeting shall be at the Corporation's principal
executive office of the Corporation in Chicago, Illinois, except as otherwise
provided in Section 5 of this Article II.

<PAGE>

    SECTION 4.  NOTICE OF MEETINGS.  Written notice stating the place, date,
and hour of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or
purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be delivered not less than 10
nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting, or in the case of a
merger, consolidation, share exchange, dissolution or sale, lease or exchange of
assets not less than 20 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting,
either

personally or by mail, by or at the direction of the President, or the
Secretary, or the officer or persons calling the meeting, to each shareholder of
record entitled to vote at such meeting.  If mailed, such notice shall be deemed
to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail addressed to the
shareholder at his or her address as it appears on the records of the
corporation, with postage thereon prepaid.  When a meeting is adjourned to
another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the
time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is
taken.

    SECTION 5.  MEETING OF ALL SHAREHOLDERS.  If all of the shareholders shall
meet at any time and place, either within or without the State of Delaware, and
consent to the holding of a meeting at such time and place, such meeting shall
be valid without call or notice, and at such meeting any corporate action may be
taken.

    SECTION 6.  CLOSING OF TRANSFER BOOKS OR FIXING OF RECORD DATE.  For the
purpose of determining the shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any
meeting of shareholders, or shareholders entitled to receive payment of any
dividend, or in order to make a determination of shareholders for any other
proper purpose, the Board of Directors may fix in advance a date as the record
date for any such determination of shareholders, such date in any case to be not
more than 60 days and for a meeting of shareholders, not less than 10 days, or
in the case of a merger, consolidation, share exchange, dissolution or sale,
lease or exchange of assets, not less than 20 days before the date of such
meeting.  If no record date is fixed for the determination of shareholders
entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders, or shareholders
entitled to receive payment of a dividend, the date on which notice of the
meeting is mailed or the date on which the resolution of the Board of Directors
declaring such dividend is adopted, as the case may be, shall be the record date
for such determination of shareholders.  When a determination of shareholders
entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders has been made as provided in
this Section, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof.

    SECTION 7.  VOTING LISTS.  The officer or agent having charge of the
transfer book for shares of the Corporation shall make, within 20 days after the
record date for a meeting of shareholders or 10 days before such meeting,
whichever is earlier, a complete list of the shareholders entitled to vote at
such meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, with the address of and the number
of shares held by each, which list, for a period of 10 days prior to such
meeting, shall be kept on file at the principal executive office of the
Corporation in Chicago, Illinois and shall be subject to inspection by any
shareholder, and to copying at the shareholder's expense, at any time during
usual business hours.  Such list shall also be produced and kept open at the
time and

                                          2
<PAGE>

place of the meeting and shall be subject to the inspection of any
shareholder during the whole time of the meeting.  The original share ledger or
transfer book, or a duplicate thereof, shall be prima facie evidence as to who
are the shareholders entitled to examine such list or share ledger or transfer
book or to vote at any meeting of shareholders.

    SECTION 8.  QUORUM.  The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares 
of the Corporation entitled to vote on a matter, represented in person or by 
proxy, shall constitute a quorum for consideration of such matter at any 
meeting of shareholders, but in no event shall a quorum consist of less than 
one-third of the outstanding shares entitled so to vote; provided that if 
less than a majority of the outstanding shares are represented at said 
meeting, a majority of the shares so represented may adjourn the meeting at 
any time without further notice.  If a quorum is present, the affirmative 
vote of the majority of the shares represented at the meeting shall be the 
act of the shareholders, unless the vote of a greater number or voting by 
classes is required by the Delaware General Corporation Law (as now in effect 
or as amended from time to time, the "General Corporation Law"), the 
certificate of incorporation or these by-laws. At any adjourned meeting at 
which a quorum shall be present, any business may be transacted which might 
have been transacted at the original meeting.  Withdrawal of shareholders 
from any meeting shall not cause failure of a duly constituted quorum at that 
meeting.

    SECTION 9.  PROXIES.  At all meetings of shareholders, a shareholder may
vote by proxy executed in writing by the shareholder or by his duly authorized
attorney-in-fact.  Such proxy shall be filed with the Secretary of the
Corporation before or at the time of the meeting.  No proxy shall be valid after
eleven months from the date of its execution, unless otherwise provided in the
proxy.

    SECTION 10.  VOTING OF SHARES.  Unless otherwise provided in the
certificate of incorporation, each outstanding share shall be entitled to one
(1) vote upon each matter submitted to vote at a meeting of shareholders.

    SECTION 11.  VOTING OF SHARES BY CERTAIN HOLDERS.  Shares held by the
Corporation in a fiduciary capacity may be voted and shall be counted in
determining the total number of outstanding shares entitled to vote at any given
time.

    Shares registered in the name of another corporation, domestic or foreign,
may be voted by any officer, agent, proxy or other legal representative
authorized to vote such shares under the law of incorporation or such
corporation.  The Corporation may treat the president or other person holding
the position of chief executive officer of such other corporation as authorized
to vote such shares, together with any other person indicated and any other
holder of any office indicated by the corporate shareholder to the Corporation
as a person or an officer authorized to vote such shares.  Such persons and
officers indicated shall be registered by the Corporation on the transfer books
for

                                          3
<PAGE>

shares and included in any voting list prepared in accordance with Section 7
of this Article II.

    Shares registered in the name of a deceased person, a minor ward or a
person under legal disability, may be voted by his or her administrator,
executor or court appointed guardian, either in person or by proxy without a
transfer of such shares into the name of such administrator, executor or court
appointed guardian.  Shares registered in the name of a trustee may be voted by
him or her, either in person or by proxy.

    Shares registered in the name of a receiver may be voted by such receiver,
and shares held by or under the control of a receiver may be voted by such
receiver without the transfer thereof into his or her name if authority to do so
is contained in an appropriate order of the court by which such receiver was
appointed.

    A shareholder whose shares are pledged shall be entitled to vote such
shares until the shares have been transferred into the name of the pledgee, and
thereafter the pledgee shall be entitled to vote the shares so transferred.

    Any number of shareholders may create a voting trust for the purpose of
conferring upon a trustee or trustees the right to vote or otherwise represent
their shares, for a period not to exceed 10 years, by entering into a written
voting trust agreement specifying the terms and conditions of the voting trust,
and by transferring their shares to such trustee or trustees for the purpose of
the agreement.  Any such trust agreement shall not become effective until a
counterpart of the agreement is deposited with the Corporation at its registered
office.  The counterpart of the voting trust agreement so deposited with the
Corporation shall be subject to the same right of examination by a shareholder
of the Corporation, in person or by agent or attorney, as are the books and
records of the Corporation, and shall be subject to examination by any holder of
a beneficial interest in the voting trust, either in person or by agent or
attorney, at any reasonable time for any proper purpose.

    Shares of its own stock belonging to this Corporation shall not be voted,
directly or indirectly, at any meeting and shall not be counted in determining
the total number of outstanding shares at any given time, but shares of its own
stock held by it in a fiduciary capacity may be voted and shall be counted in
determining the total number of outstanding shares at any given time.

    SECTION 12.  INSPECTORS.  At any meeting of shareholders, the presiding
officer may, or upon the request of any shareholder, shall appoint one or more
persons as inspectors for such meeting.

    Such inspectors shall ascertain and report the number of shares represented
at the meeting, based upon their determination of the validity and effect of
proxies; count

                                          4
<PAGE>

all votes and report the results; and do such other acts as are proper to 
conduct the election and voting with impartiality and fairness to all the 
shareholders.

    Each report of an inspector shall be in writing and signed by him or her or
by a majority of them if there be more than one inspector acting at such
meeting.  If there is more than one inspector, the report of a majority shall be
the report of the inspectors.  The report of the inspector or inspectors on the
number of shares represented at the meeting and the results of the voting shall
be prima facie evidence thereof.

    SECTION 13.  INFORMAL ACTION BY SHAREHOLDERS.  Any action required to be
taken at a meeting of the shareholders, or any other action which may be taken
at a meeting of the shareholders, may be taken without a meeting and without a
vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken shall be signed
(a) if 5 days prior notice of the proposed action is given in writing to all of
the shareholders entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter hereof, by
the holders of outstanding shares having not less than the minimum number of
votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at
which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voting or (b) by all
of the shareholders entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof.

    Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by
less than unanimous written consent shall be given in writing to those
shareholders who have not consented in writing.  In the event that the action
which is consented to is such as would have required the filing of a certificate
under any section of the General Corporation Law if such action had been voted
on by the shareholders at a meeting thereof, the certificate filed under such
section shall state, in lieu of any statement required by such section
concerning any vote of shareholders, that written consent has been given in
accordance with the provisions of the General Corporation Law and that written
notice has been given as provided in the General Corporation Law.

    SECTION 14.  VOTING BY BALLOT.  Voting on any question or in any election
may be by voice unless the presiding officer shall order or any shareholder
shall demand that voting be by ballot.

                                     ARTICLE III

                                      DIRECTORS

    SECTION 1.  GENERAL POWERS.  The business of the Corporation shall be
managed by or under the direction of its Board of Directors.

    SECTION 2.  NUMBER, TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS.  The number of directors of
the Corporation shall be at least one (1) but not more than eleven (11).  Each
director shall hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders; or
until his successor shall have been elected and qualified.  Directors need not
be residents of

                                          5
<PAGE>

Delaware or shareholders of the Corporation.  The number of directors may be 
increased or decreased from time to time by the amendment of this Section 2.  
No decrease shall have the effect of shortening the term of any incumbent 
director.

    SECTION 3.  REGULAR MEETINGS.  A regular meeting of the Board of Directors
shall be held without other notice than this by-law, immediately after the
annual meeting of shareholders.  The Board of Directors may provide, by
resolution, the time and place for holding of additional regular meetings
without other notice than such resolution.

    SECTION 4.  SPECIAL MEETINGS.  Special meetings of the Board of Directors
may be called by or at the request of the President or any two directors.  The
person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors
may fix any place as the place for holding any special meeting of the Board of
Directors called by them.

    SECTION 5.  NOTICE.  Notice of any special meeting shall be given at 
least two business days previous thereto by written notice to each director 
at his business address.  If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be 
delivered when deposited in the United States mail so addressed, with postage 
thereon prepaid. If notice be given by telegram, such notice shall be deemed 
to be delivered when the telegram is delivered to the telegram company.  The 
attendance of a director at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice 
of such meeting, except where a director attends a meeting for the express 
purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting 
is not lawfully called or convened.  Neither the business to be transacted 
at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Board of 
Directors need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting.

    SECTION 6.  QUORUM.  Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of
incorporation, a majority of the number of directors elected by the shareholders
as indicated under Section 2 of this Article III shall constitute a quorum for
transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, provided that
if less than a majority of such number of directors are present at said meeting,
a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting at any time without
further notice.

    Unless specifically prohibited by the certificate of incorporation, members
of the Board of Directors or of any committee of the Board of Directors may
participate in and act at any meeting of the Board or such committee through the
use of a conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of
which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other.
Participation in such meeting shall constitute attendance and presence in person
at the meeting of the person or persons so participating.

    SECTION 7.  MANNER OF ACTING.  The act of the majority of the directors
present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board
of

                                          6
<PAGE>

Directors, unless the act of a greater number is required by statute, these
by-laws, or the certificate of incorporation.

    SECTION 8.  VACANCIES.  Any vacancy on the Board of Directors and any
directorship to be filled by reason of an increase in the number of directors
may be filled by election at the next annual or special meeting of shareholders.
A majority of the Board of Directors may fill any vacancy prior to such annual
or special meeting of shareholders.

    SECTION 9.  RESIGNATION OF DIRECTORS.  A director may resign at any time
upon written notice to the Board of Directors, its chairman, if any, or to the
chief executive officer or Secretary of the Corporation.

    SECTION 10.  INFORMAL ACTION BY DIRECTORS.  Unless specifically prohibited
by the certificate of incorporation or by other provisions of these by-laws, any
action required to be taken at a meeting of the Board of Directors, or any other
action which may be taken at a meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any
committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing,
setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all the directors entitled
to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof, or by all the members of
such committee, as the case may be.  Any such consent signed by all the
directors or all the members of the committee shall have the same effect as a
unanimous vote, and may be stated as such in any document filed with the
Secretary of State or with anyone else.

    SECTION 11.  COMMITTEES.  A majority of the directors fixed by these 
by-laws may, by resolution, create one or more committees and appoint members 
of the Board to serve on any one or more of such committees.  Each committee 
shall have two or more members who shall serve at the pleasure of the Board.  
A majority of any committee shall constitute a quorum and a majority of a 
quorum is necessary for committee action.  Each committee, to the extent 
provided by the Board of Directors in such resolution, shall have and 
exercise all of the authority of the Board of Directors in the management of 
the Corporation, except that a committee may not: authorize distributions; 
approve or recommend to shareholders any act required by statute to be 
approved by shareholders; fill vacancies on the Board or on any of its 
committees; elect or remove officers or fix the compensation of any member of 
the committee; adopt, amend or repeal the by-laws; approve a plan or merger 
not requiring shareholder approval; authorize or approve the reacquisition of 
shares, except according to a general formula or method prescribed by the 
Board; authorize or approve the issuance or sale, or contract for sale, of 
shares or determine the designation and relative rights, preferences, and 
limitations of a series of shares, except that the Board may direct a 
committee to fix the specific terms of issuance or sale or contract for sale 
or the number of shares to be allocated to particular employees under an 
employee benefit plan; or, amend, alter, repeal, or take action inconsistent 
with any resolution or action of the Board of Directors when the resolution 
or action of the Board of Directors provides by its terms that it shall not 
be amended, altered or repealed by action of a committee.

                                          7
<PAGE>

Vacancies in the membership of any committee shall be filled by the Board of 
Directors.  Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its proceedings and 
report the same to the Board when required.  A committee may act by unanimous 
consent in writing without a meeting and, subject to action by the Board of 
Directors, each committee, by a majority vote of its members, shall determine 
the time and place of meetings and the notice therefor.

    SECTION 12.  COMPENSATION.  The Board of Directors, by the affirmative vote
of a majority of directors then in office, and irrespective of any personal
interest of any of its members, shall have authority to establish reasonable
compensation of all directors for services to the Corporation as directors,
officers or otherwise notwithstanding any director conflict of interest.  By
resolution of the Board of Directors, the directors may be paid their expenses,
if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board.  No such payment previously
mentioned in this Section shall preclude any director from serving the
Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.

    SECTION 13.  PRESUMPTION OF ASSENT.  A director of the Corporation who is
present at a meeting of the Board of Directors at which action on any corporate
matter is taken shall be conclusively presumed to have assented to the action
taken unless his or her dissent shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting
or unless he or she shall file his or her written dissent to such action with
the person acting as the secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof
or shall forward such dissent by registered or certified mail to the Secretary
of the Corporation immediately after the adjournment of the meeting.  Such right
to dissent shall not apply to a director who voted in favor of such action.

    SECTION 14.  REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS.  One or more of the directors may be
removed, with or without cause, at a meeting of shareholders by the affirmative
vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares then entitled to
vote at an election of directors, except that no director shall be removed at a
meeting of shareholders unless the notice of such meeting shall state that a
purpose of the meeting is to vote upon the removal of one or more directors
named in the notice, and then only the named director or directors may be
removed at such meeting.  If a director has been elected by a class or series of
shares, he may be removed only by the shareholders of that class or series.

                                      ARTICLE IV

                                       OFFICERS

    SECTION 1.  NUMBER.  The officers of the Corporation shall be a President,
one or more Vice-Presidents, a Treasurer, a Secretary, and such Assistant
Treasurers, Assistant Secretaries and other officers as may be elected or
appointed by the Board of Directors.  Any two or more offices may be held by the
same person.
                                          8
<PAGE>

    SECTION 2.  ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE.  The officers of the Corporation
shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors at the first meeting of the
Board of Directors held after each annual meeting of shareholders.  If the
election of officers shall not be held at such meeting, such election shall be
held as soon thereafter as conveniently may be.  Vacancies may be filled or new
offices created and filled at any meeting of the Board of Directors.  Each
officer shall hold office until his successor shall have been duly elected and
shall have qualified or until his death or until he shall resign or shall have
been removed in the manner hereinafter provided.  Election of an officer shall
not of itself create contract rights.  Any officer may resign at any time by
giving notice to the Board of Directors or to the President or the Secretary.  A
resignation of an officer need not be accepted in order to be effective.

    SECTION 3.  REMOVAL.  Any officer elected or appointed by the Board of
Directors may be removed by the Board of Directors whenever in its judgment the
best interest of the Corporation would be served thereby, but such removal shall
be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed.

    SECTION 4.  VACANCIES.  A vacancy in any office because of death,
resignation, removal, disqualification or otherwise, may be filled by the Board
of Directors for the unexpired portion of the term.

    SECTION 5.  PRESIDENT.  The President shall be the principal executive 
officer of the Corporation.  Subject to the direction and control of the 
Board of Directors, he/she shall, in general: supervise and control the 
business and affairs of the Corporation; see that the resolutions and 
directions of the Board of Directors are carried into effect except in those 
instances in which that responsibility is specifically assigned to some other 
person by the Board of Directors; and discharge all duties incident to the 
office of president and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board 
of Directors from time to time. He/she shall preside at all meetings of the 
shareholders and of the Board of Directors.  Except in those instances in 
which the authority to execute is expressly delegated to another officer or 
agent of the Corporation or a different mode of execution is expressly 
prescribed by the Board of Directors or these by-laws, he/she may execute for 
the Corporation certificates for its shares, and any contracts, deeds, 
mortgages, bonds, or other instruments which the Board of Directors has 
authorized to be executed, and he/she may accomplish such execution either 
under or without the seal (if any) of the Corporation and either individually 
or with the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary, or any other officer 
thereunto authorized by the Board of Directors, according to the requirements 
of the form of the instrument.  He/she may vote all securities which the 
Corporation is entitled to vote except as and to the extent such authority 
shall be vested in a different officer or agent of the Corporation by the 
Board of Directors.

    SECTION 6.  THE VICE PRESIDENTS.  The Vice President (or in the event there
be more than one Vice President, each of the Vice Presidents) shall assist the

                                          9
<PAGE>

President in the discharge of his/her duties as the President may direct and
shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him/her
by the President or by the Board of Directors.  In the absence of the President
or in the event of his/her inability or refusal to act, the Vice President (or
in the event there be more than one Vice President, the Vice Presidents in the
order designated by the Board of Directors, or by the President if the Board of
Directors has not made such a designation, or in the absence of any designation,
then in the order of seniority of tenure as Vice President) shall perform the
duties of the President, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be
subject to all the restrictions upon the President.  Except in those instances
in which the authority to execute is expressly delegated to another officer or
agent of the Corporation or a different mode of execution is expressly
prescribed by the Board of Directors or these by-laws, the Vice President (or
each of them if there are more than one) may execute for the Corporation
certificates for its shares and any contracts, deeds, mortgages, bonds or other
instruments which the Board of Directors has authorized to be executed, and
he/she may accomplish such execution either under or without the seal (if any)
of the Corporation and either individually or with the Secretary, any Assistant
Secretary, or any other officer thereunto authorized by the Board of Directors,
according to the requirements of the form of the instrument, except when a
different mode of execution is expressly prescribed by the Board of Directors or
these by-laws.

    SECTION 7.  THE TREASURER.  The Treasurer shall: (a) have charge of and be
responsible for the maintenance of adequate books of account for the
Corporation; (b) have charge and custody of all funds and securities of the
Corporation, and be responsible therefor and for the receipt and disbursement
thereof; and (c) perform all the duties incident to the office of treasurer and
such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the President
or by the Board of Directors.  If required by the Board of Directors, the
Treasurer shall give a bond for the faithful discharge of his duties in such sum
and with such surety or sureties as the Board of Directors may determine.

    SECTION 8.  THE SECRETARY.  The Secretary shall: (a) record the minutes of
the shareholders' and of the Board of Directors' meetings in one or more books
provided for that purpose; (b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance
with the provisions of these by-laws; (c) be custodian of the corporate records
and of the seal (if any) of the Corporation; (d) keep a register of the post
office address of each shareholder which shall be furnished to the Secretary by
such shareholder; (e) sign, with the President or a Vice President or any other
officer thereunto authorized by the Board of Directors, certificates for shares
of the Corporation, the issue of which shall have been authorized by the Board
of Directors, and any contracts, deeds, mortgages, bonds, or other instruments
which the Board of Directors has authorized to be executed, according to the
requirements of the form of the instrument, except when a different mode of
execution is expressly prescribed by the Board of Directors or these by-laws;
(f) have general charge of the stock transfer books of the Corporation; (g) have
authority to certify the by-laws, resolutions of the shareholders and Board of
Directors

                                          10

<PAGE>

and committees thereof, and other documents of the Corporation as true and 
correct copies thereof; and (h) perform all duties incident to the office of 
secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to 
him/her by the President or by the Board of Directors.

    SECTION 9.  ASSISTANT TREASURERS AND ASSISTANT SECRETARIES.  The Assistant
Treasurers and Assistant Secretaries shall perform such duties as shall be
assigned to them by the Treasurer or the Secretary, respectively, or by the
President or the Board of Directors.  The Assistant Secretaries may sign with
the President, or a Vice President, or any other officer thereunto authorized by
the Board of Directors, certificates for shares of the Corporation, the issue of
which shall have been authorized by the Board of Directors, and any contracts,
deeds, mortgages, bonds, or other instruments which the Board of Directors has
authorized to be executed, according to the requirements of the form of the
instrument, except when a different mode of execution is expressly prescribed by
the Board of Directors or these by-laws.  The Assistant Treasurers shall
respectively, if required by the Board of Directors, give bonds for the faithful
discharge of their duties in such sums and with such sureties as the board of
directors shall determine.

    SECTION 10.  SALARIES.  The salaries of the officers shall be fixed from
time to time by the Board of Directors and no officer shall be prevented from
receiving such salary by reason of the fact that he is also a director of the
Corporation.

                                      ARTICLE V

                        CONTRACTS, LOANS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS

    SECTION 1.  CONTRACTS.  The Board of Directors may authorize any officer or
officers, agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any
instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, and such authority
may be general or confined to specific instances.

    SECTION 2.  LOANS.  No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the
Corporation and no evidences of indebtedness shall be issued in its name unless
authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors.

    SECTION 3.  CHECKS, DRAFTS, ETC.  All checks, drafts or other orders for
the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the
name of the Corporation, shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent or
agents of the Corporation and in such manner as shall from time to time be
determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.

    SECTION 4.  DEPOSITS.  All funds of the Corporation not otherwise employed
shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Corporation in such
banks, trust companies or other depositories as the Board of Directors may
select.


                                          11
<PAGE>

                                      ARTICLE VI

                              SHARES AND THEIR TRANSFER

    SECTION 1.  SHARES REPRESENTED BY CERTIFICATES AND UNCERTIFICATED SHARES.
The issued shares of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates or
shall be uncertificated shares.

    Certificates representing shares of the Corporation shall be signed by the
appropriate officers and may be sealed with the seal (if any) or a facsimile of
the seal of the Corporation.  If a certificate is countersigned by a transfer
agent or registrar, other than the Corporation or its employee, any other
signatures may be facsimile.  Each certificate representing shares shall be
consecutively numbered or otherwise identified, and shall also state the name of
the person to whom issued, the number and class of shares (with designation of
series, if any), the date of issue, and that the Corporation is organized under
Delaware law.  If the Corporation is authorized to issue shares of more than one
class or of series within a class, the certificate shall also contain such
information or statement as may be required by law.

    Unless prohibited by the certificate of incorporation, the Board of
Directors may provide by resolution that some or all of any class or series of
shares shall be uncertificated shares.  Any such resolution shall not apply to
shares represented by a certificate until the certificate has been surrendered
to the Corporation.  Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of
uncertificated shares, the Corporation shall send the registered owner thereof a
written notice of all information that would appear on a certificate.  Except as
otherwise expressly provided by law, the rights and obligations of the holders
of uncertificated shares shall be as identical to those of the holders of
certificates representing shares of the same class and series.

    The name and address of each shareholder, the number and class of shares
held and the date on which the shares were issued shall be entered on the books
of the Corporation.  The person in whose name shares stand on the books of the
Corporation shall be deemed the owner thereof for all purposes as regards the
Corporation.

    SECTION 2.  LOST CERTIFICATES.  If a certificate representing shares has
allegedly been lost or destroyed the Board of Directors may in its discretion,
except as may be required by law, direct that a new certificate be issued upon
such indemnification and other reasonable requirements as it may impose.

    SECTION 3.  TRANSFER OF SHARES.  Transfer of shares of the Corporation
shall be recorded on the books of the Corporation.  Transfer of shares
represented by a certificate, except in the case of a lost or destroyed
certificate, shall be made on surrender for cancellation of the certificate for
such shares.  A certificate presented for transfer must be duly endorsed and
accompanied by proper guaranty of signature and

                                          12
<PAGE>

other appropriate assurances that the endorsement is effective.  Transfer of 
an uncertificated share shall be made on receipt by the Corporation of an 
instruction from the registered owner or other appropriate person.  The 
instruction shall be in writing or a communication in such form as may be 
agreed upon in writing by the Corporation.

                                     ARTICLE VII

                                     FISCAL YEAR

    The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the
Board of Directors.

                                     ARTICLE VIII

                                    DISTRIBUTIONS

    The Board of Directors may authorize, and the Corporation may make,
distributions to its shareholders, subject to any restrictions in its
certificate of incorporation or provided by law.

                                      ARTICLE IX

                                         SEAL

    The corporate seal, if any, may be used by causing it or a facsimile
thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced, provided
that the affixing of the corporate seal to an instrument shall not give the
instrument additional force or effect, or change the construction thereof, and
the use of the corporate seal, if any, is not mandatory.

                                      ARTICLE X

                                   WAIVER OF NOTICE

    Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of these
by-laws or under the provisions of the certificate of incorporation or under the
provisions of the General Corporation Law, a waiver thereof in writing, signed
by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the
time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice.
Attendance at any meeting shall constitute waiver of notice thereof unless the
person at the meeting objects to the holding of the meeting because proper
notice was not given.
                                          13
<PAGE>
                                      ARTICLE XI

                                   INDEMNIFICATION

Each person who at any time is or shall have been a director, officer, employee
or agent of this Corporation, or is or shall have been serving at the request of
the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall be
indemnified by this Corporation in accordance with and to the full extent
permitted by the General Corporation Law.   The foregoing right of
indemnification shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which a
person seeking indemnification may be entitled under any by-law, agreement, vote
of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.   If authorized by the
Board of Directors, the Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on
behalf of any person to the full extent permitted by the General Corporation
Law.

                                     ARTICLE XII

                                      AMENDMENTS

    Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, these
by-laws may be made, altered, amended or repealed by the shareholders or the
Board of Directors, but no by-law adopted by the shareholders may be altered,
amended or repealed by the Board of Directors.


                                          14

<PAGE>

                                                                  EXHIBIT 3.09.1
                             CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

                                          OF

                                 SWC INDUSTRIES INC.

    1.   The name of the corporation is

              SWC Industries Inc.

    2.   The address of its registered office in the State of Delaware is
located at 229 South State Street, Dover, Delaware 19901.  The name of its
registered agent at such address is The Prentice-Hall Corporation System, Inc.,
County of Kent.

    3.   The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or promoted is
to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized
under the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

    4.   The total number of shares of stock which the corporation shall have
authority to issue is three thousand (3,000) shares of common stock having a par
value of $.10 per share.

    5.   The name and mailing address of the incorporator is as follows:

                   James E. Hughes, Jr.
                   c/o Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue
                   599 Lexington Avenue
                   New York, NY  10022.

    6.   In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by
statute, the board of directors is expressly authorized to make, alter or repeal
the bylaws of the corporation without assent or vote of the stockholders.

    7.   Elections of directors of the corporation need not be by written
ballot.

    8.   To the full extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware or any other applicable laws presently or hereafter in effect,
no director of the corporation shall be personally liable to the corporation or
its stockholders for or with respect to any acts 


                                          1
<PAGE>

or omissions in the performance of his or her duties as a director of the 
corporation.  Any repeal or modification of this Article 8 shall not 
adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the corporation 
existing immediately prior to such repeal or modification.

    9.   Each person who is or was or had agreed to become a director or 
officer of the corporation, or each such person who is or was serving or who 
had agreed to serve at the request of the board of directors or an officer of 
the corporation as an employee or agent of the corporation or as a director, 
officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint 
venture, trust or other enterprise (including the heirs, executors, 
administrators or estate of such person), shall be indemnified by the 
corporation to the full extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of 
the State of Delaware or any other applicable laws as presently or hereafter 
in effect. Without limiting the generality or the effect of the foregoing, 
the corporation may enter into one or more agreements with any person which 
provide for indemnification greater or different than that provided in this 
Article. Unless otherwise required by applicable law, any repeal or 
modification of this Article 9 or of the applicable provisions of such 
General Corporation Law or any such other applicable law shall not adversely 
affect any right or protection existing hereunder immediately prior to such 
repeal or modification.

    I, THE UNDERSIGNED, being the sole incorporator hereinbefore named, for the
purpose of forming a corporation pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware, make this certificate and hereby declare and certify that
this is my act and deed and that the facts herein stated are true, and
accordingly I have hereunto set my hand this 8th day of September, 1989.


                                            /s/ James E. Hughes, Jr.
                                            ------------------------
                                            James E. Hughes, Jr.
                                            Incorporator


                                          2

<PAGE>

                                                                  EXHIBIT 3.09.2
                               CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
                                        OF THE
                             CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                                          OF
                                 SWC INDUSTRIES, INC.


    SWC Industries Inc., a corporation organized under the General Corporation
Law of the State of Delaware (hereinafter called the "Corporation"), does hereby
certify as follows:

    1.   That the Board of Directors of the Corporation pursuant to a unanimous
written action in lieu of a meeting pursuant to Section 141(f) of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, adopted a resolution proposing and
declaring advisable the following amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation
of the Corporation.

    2.   That in lieu of a meeting and vote of the stockholders, the sole
stockholder of the Corporation has given written consent to such amendment in
accordance with the provisions of Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of
the State of Delaware.

    3.   That Article 4 of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation,
which sets forth the number and class of stock that the Corporation shall have
authority to issue, is hereby amended to read:

              4.   The total number of shares of stock which the corporation
         shall have the right to issue is three thousand (3,000) shares, of
         which two thousand five hundred and ten (2,510) of such shares shall
         be shares of common stock, par value $.10 per share, and four hundred
         and ninety (490) of such shares shall be shares of class B common
         stock, par value $.10 per share.

              The powers, rights and preferences attendant to the shares of the
         common stock and the shares of the class B common stock shall be
         identical, except as set forth below. The holders of the class B
         common stock shall not have the right to vote on any matter, except as
         otherwise provided by law and except that the approval of the holders
         of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of the common stock
         and the class B common stock, voting as a single class,

<PAGE>

         shall be required for:  (i) any merger, whether or not the corporation
         is the surviving corporation, or consolidation of the corporation with
         any other corporation or other entity; (ii) any sale, lease, exchange
         or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the
         corporation; (iii) any liquidation or dissolution of the corporation;
         or (iv) any amendment to the corporation's certificate of
         incorporation.

              Any registered holder of shares of the class B common stock shall
         have the right, exercisable at any time after July 15, 1990, to have
         all, but not less than all, of the shares of the class B common stock
         registered in his name converted into a like number of shares of
         common stock upon surrender to the corporation of the certificates or
         certificates for the shares of class B common stock to be so
         converted, duly assigned in blank for transfer; provided that in the
         event of any stock split, combination of shares or similar
         recapitalization on the shares of the common stock and concurrently
         therewith the shares of the class B common stock are not recapitalized
         in the same manner, the number of shares of the common stock into
         shares of the class B common stock shall be adjusted to reflect the
         same.  Any shares of class B common stock that are so surrendered
         shall be cancelled and shall not be reissued.

    4.   That such amendment has been duly adopted in accordance with the
provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of
Amendment to be executed and signed by its President and Assistant Secretary
this 19th day of December, 1989.


                             /s/ J. Glenn Alexander
                             ------------------------
                             J. Glenn Alexander
                             President
    Attest:

    /s/ Robert A. Schneider
    -----------------------------
    Robert A. Schneider
    Assistant Secretary


                                          2


<PAGE>

                                                                 EXHIBIT 3.09.3

                              CERTIFICATE OF MERGER
                                      OF
                            BLUEBONNET HOLDINGS, INC.
                                      AND
                              SWC INDUSTRIES INC.


     It is hereby certified that:

     1.  The constituent business corporations participating in the merger 
herein certified are:

         (i)  Bluebonnet Holdings, Inc., which is incorporated under the laws 
              of the State of Delaware; and

         (ii) SWC Industries Inc., which is incorporated under the laws of 
              the State of Delaware.

     2.  An Agreement of Merger has been approved, adopted, certified, 
executed, and acknowledged by each of the aforesaid constituent corporations 
in accordance with the provisions of subsection (c) of Section 251 of the 
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

     3.  The name of the surviving corporation in the merger herein certified 
is SWC Industries Inc., which will continue its existence as said surviving 
corporation under its present name, SWC Industries Inc., upon the effective 
date of said merger pursuant to the provisions of the General Corporation Law 
of the State of Delaware.

     4.  The Certificate of Incorporation of SWC Industries Inc. is to be 
amended and changed by reason of the merger herein certified by striking out 
Article 4 thereof, relating to the authorized capital stock of said surviving 
corporation, and by substituting in lieu thereof the following article:

        "4.  The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall 
         have the right to issue is three thousand (3,000) shares of common 
         stock, par value $.10."

and said Certificate of Incorporation as so amended and changed shall continue 
to be the Certificate of Incorporation of said surviving corporation until 
further amended and changed in accordance with the provisions of the General 
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

     5.  The executed Agreement of Merger between the aforesaid constituent 
corporations is on file at the principal place of business of the aforesaid 
surviving corporation, the address of which is as follows:

                 1505 Industrial Drive, Henderson, Texas 75662.

     6.  A copy of the aforesaid Agreement of Merger will be furnished by the 
aforesaid surviving corporation, on request, and without cost, to any 
stockholder of each of the aforesaid constituent corporations.

<PAGE>

     7.  The Agreement of Merger between the aforesaid constituent 
corporations provides that the merger herein certified shall be effective 
upon filing.

Dated: April 12, 1995

                                     BLUEBONNET HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware
                                     corporation

                                     By:  /s/ Gus J. Athas
                                          ----------------------------

                                     Its: Vice-President
                                          ----------------------------

Dated: April 12, 1996

                                     SWC INDUSTRIES INC., a Delaware
                                     corporation

                                     By:  /s/ Gus J. Athas
                                          ----------------------------

                                     Its: Vice-President
                                          ----------------------------



<PAGE>


                                                                    EXHIBIT 3.10

                                                                  Revised 8/1/96
                                       BY-LAWS

                                          OF

                                 SWC INDUSTRIES, INC.


                                      ARTICLE I

                                       OFFICES

    SWC Industries, Inc. (the "Corporation") shall continuously maintain in the
State of Delaware a registered office and a registered agent whose business
office is identical with such registered office, and may have other offices
within or without the State.


                                      ARTICLE II

                                     SHAREHOLDERS

    SECTION 1.  ANNUAL MEETING.  An annual meeting of the shareholders shall be
held in July of each year or at such time as the Board of Directors may
designate for the purpose of electing directors and for the transaction of such
other business as may come before the meeting.  If the election of directors
shall not be held on the day designated herein for any annual meeting, or at any
adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors shall cause the election to be held
at a meeting of the shareholders as soon thereafter as may be convenient.

    SECTION 2.  SPECIAL MEETINGS.  Special meetings of the shareholders may be
called either by the President, by the Board of Directors or by the holders of
not less than one-fifth of all the outstanding shares of the Corporation
entitled to vote, for the purpose or purposes stated in the call of the meeting.

    SECTION 3.  PLACE OF MEETING.  The Board of Directors may designate any
place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the place of meeting
for any annual meeting or for any special meeting called by the Board of
Directors.  A waiver of notice signed by all shareholders may designate any
place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the place for the
holding of such meeting.  If no designation is made, or if a special meeting be
otherwise called, the place of meeting shall be at the Corporation's principal
executive office of the Corporation in Chicago, Illinois, except as otherwise
provided in Section 5 of this Article II.



<PAGE>

    SECTION 4.  NOTICE OF MEETINGS.  Written notice stating the place, date,
and hour of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or
purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be delivered not less than 10
nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting, or in the case of a
merger, consolidation, share exchange, dissolution or sale, lease or exchange of
assets not less than 20 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting,
either personally or by mail, by or at the direction of the President, or the
Secretary, or the officer or persons calling the meeting, to each shareholder of
record entitled to vote at such meeting.  If mailed, such notice shall be deemed
to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail addressed to the
shareholder at his or her address as it appears on the records of the
corporation, with postage thereon prepaid.  When a meeting is adjourned to
another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the
time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is
taken.

    SECTION 5.  MEETING OF ALL SHAREHOLDERS.  If all of the shareholders shall
meet at any time and place, either within or without the State of Delaware, and
consent to the holding of a meeting at such time and place, such meeting shall
be valid without call or notice, and at such meeting any corporate action may be
taken.

    SECTION 6.  CLOSING OF TRANSFER BOOKS OR FIXING OF RECORD DATE.  For the
purpose of determining the shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any
meeting of shareholders, or shareholders entitled to receive payment of any
dividend, or in order to make a determination of shareholders for any other
proper purpose, the Board of Directors may fix in advance a date as the record
date for any such determination of shareholders, such date in any case to be not
more than 60 days and for a meeting of shareholders, not less than 10 days, or
in the case of a merger, consolidation, share exchange, dissolution or sale,
lease or exchange of assets, not less than 20 days before the date of such
meeting.  If no record date is fixed for the determination of shareholders
entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders, or shareholders
entitled to receive payment of a dividend, the date on which notice of the
meeting is mailed or the date on which the resolution of the Board of Directors
declaring such dividend is adopted, as the case may be, shall be the record date
for such determination of shareholders.  When a determination of shareholders
entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders has been made as provided in
this Section, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof.

    SECTION 7.  VOTING LISTS.  The officer or agent having charge of the
transfer book for shares of the Corporation shall make, within 20 days after the
record date for a meeting of shareholders or 10 days before such meeting,
whichever is earlier, a complete list of the shareholders entitled to vote at
such meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, with the address of and the number
of shares held by each, which list, for a period of 10 days prior to such
meeting, shall be kept on file at the principal executive office of the
Corporation in Chicago, Illinois and shall be subject to inspection by any
shareholder, and to copying at the shareholder's expense, at any time during
usual business hours.  Such list shall also be produced and kept open at the
time and 


                                          2

<PAGE>

place of the meeting and shall be subject to the inspection of any 
shareholder during the whole time of the meeting.  The original share ledger 
or transfer book, or a duplicate thereof, shall be prima facie evidence as to 
who are the shareholders entitled to examine such list or share ledger or 
transfer book or to vote at any meeting of shareholders.

    SECTION 8.  QUORUM.  The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of
the Corporation entitled to vote on a matter, represented in person or by proxy,
shall constitute a quorum for consideration of such matter at any meeting of
shareholders, but in no event shall a quorum consist of less than one-third of
the outstanding shares entitled so to vote; provided that if less than a
majority of the outstanding shares are represented at said meeting, a majority
of the shares so represented may adjourn the meeting at any time without further
notice.  If a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of the majority of the
shares represented at the meeting shall be the act of the shareholders, unless
the vote of a greater number or voting by classes is required by the Delaware
General Corporation Law (as now in effect or as amended from time to time, the
"General Corporation Law"), the certificate of incorporation or these by-laws. 
At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present, any business may be
transacted which might have been transacted at the original meeting.  Withdrawal
of shareholders from any meeting shall not cause failure of a duly constituted
quorum at that meeting.

    SECTION 9.  PROXIES.  At all meetings of shareholders, a shareholder may
vote by proxy executed in writing by the shareholder or by his duly authorized
attorney-in-fact.  Such proxy shall be filed with the Secretary of the
Corporation before or at the time of the meeting.  No proxy shall be valid after
eleven months from the date of its execution, unless otherwise provided in the
proxy.

    SECTION 10.  VOTING OF SHARES.  Unless otherwise provided in the
certificate of incorporation, each outstanding share shall be entitled to one
(1) vote upon each matter submitted to vote at a meeting of shareholders.

    SECTION 11.  VOTING OF SHARES BY CERTAIN HOLDERS.  Shares held by the
Corporation in a fiduciary capacity may be voted and shall be counted in
determining the total number of outstanding shares entitled to vote at any given
time.

    Shares registered in the name of another corporation, domestic or foreign,
may be voted by any officer, agent, proxy or other legal representative
authorized to vote such shares under the law of incorporation or such
corporation.  The Corporation may treat the president or other person holding
the position of chief executive officer of such other corporation as authorized
to vote such shares, together with any other person indicated and any other
holder of any office indicated by the corporate shareholder to the Corporation
as a person or an officer authorized to vote such shares.  Such persons and
officers indicated shall be registered by the Corporation on the transfer books
for


                                          3
<PAGE>

 shares and included in any voting list prepared in accordance with Section 7
of this Article II.

    Shares registered in the name of a deceased person, a minor ward or a
person under legal disability, may be voted by his or her administrator,
executor or court appointed guardian, either in person or by proxy without a
transfer of such shares into the name of such administrator, executor or court
appointed guardian.  Shares registered in the name of a trustee may be voted by
him or her, either in person or by proxy.

    Shares registered in the name of a receiver may be voted by such 
receiver, and shares held by or under the control of a receiver may be voted 
by such receiver without the transfer thereof into his or her name if 
authority to do so is contained in an appropriate order of the court by which 
such receiver was appointed.

    A shareholder whose shares are pledged shall be entitled to vote such
shares until the shares have been transferred into the name of the pledgee, and
thereafter the pledgee shall be entitled to vote the shares so transferred.

    Any number of shareholders may create a voting trust for the purpose of
conferring upon a trustee or trustees the right to vote or otherwise represent
their shares, for a period not to exceed 10 years, by entering into a written
voting trust agreement specifying the terms and conditions of the voting trust,
and by transferring their shares to such trustee or trustees for the purpose of
the agreement.  Any such trust agreement shall not become effective until a
counterpart of the agreement is deposited with the Corporation at its registered
office.  The counterpart of the voting trust agreement so deposited with the
Corporation shall be subject to the same right of examination by a shareholder
of the Corporation, in person or by agent or attorney, as are the books and
records of the Corporation, and shall be subject to examination by any holder of
a beneficial interest in the voting trust, either in person or by agent or
attorney, at any reasonable time for any proper purpose.

    Shares of its own stock belonging to this Corporation shall not be voted,
directly or indirectly, at any meeting and shall not be counted in determining
the total number of outstanding shares at any given time, but shares of its own
stock held by it in a fiduciary capacity may be voted and shall be counted in
determining the total number of outstanding shares at any given time.

    SECTION 12.  INSPECTORS.  At any meeting of shareholders, the presiding
officer may, or upon the request of any shareholder, shall appoint one or more
persons as inspectors for such meeting.

    Such inspectors shall ascertain and report the number of shares represented
at the meeting, based upon their determination of the validity and effect of
proxies; count


                                          4
<PAGE>

 all votes and report the results; and do such other acts as are
proper to conduct the election and voting with impartiality and fairness to all
the shareholders.

    Each report of an inspector shall be in writing and signed by him or her or
by a majority of them if there be more than one inspector acting at such
meeting.  If there is more than one inspector, the report of a majority shall be
the report of the inspectors.  The report of the inspector or inspectors on the
number of shares represented at the meeting and the results of the voting shall
be prima facie evidence thereof.

    SECTION 13.  INFORMAL ACTION BY SHAREHOLDERS.  Any action required to be 
taken at a meeting of the shareholders, or any other action which may be 
taken at a meeting of the shareholders, may be taken without a meeting and 
without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken 
shall be signed (a) if 5 days prior notice of the proposed action is given in 
writing to all of the shareholders entitled to vote with respect to the 
subject matter hereof, by the holders of outstanding shares having not less 
than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take 
such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were 
present and voting or (b) by all of the shareholders entitled to vote with 
respect to the subject matter thereof.

    Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by
less than unanimous written consent shall be given in writing to those
shareholders who have not consented in writing.  In the event that the action
which is consented to is such as would have required the filing of a certificate
under any section of the General Corporation Law if such action had been voted
on by the shareholders at a meeting thereof, the certificate filed under such
section shall state, in lieu of any statement required by such section
concerning any vote of shareholders, that written consent has been given in
accordance with the provisions of the General Corporation Law and that written
notice has been given as provided in the General Corporation Law.

    SECTION 14.  VOTING BY BALLOT.  Voting on any question or in any election
may be by voice unless the presiding officer shall order or any shareholder
shall demand that voting be by ballot.


                                     ARTICLE III

                                      DIRECTORS

    SECTION 1.  GENERAL POWERS.  The business of the Corporation shall be
managed by or under the direction of its Board of Directors.

    SECTION 2.  NUMBER, TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS.  The number of directors of
the Corporation shall be at least one (1) but not more than eleven (11).  Each
director shall hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders; or
until his successor shall have been elected and qualified.  Directors need not
be residents of


                                          5
<PAGE>

 Delaware or shareholders of the Corporation.  The number of
directors may be increased or decreased from time to time by the amendment of
this Section 2.  No decrease shall have the effect of shortening the term of any
incumbent director.

    SECTION 3.  REGULAR MEETINGS.  A regular meeting of the Board of Directors
shall be held without other notice than this by-law, immediately after the
annual meeting of shareholders.  The Board of Directors may provide, by
resolution, the time and place for holding of additional regular meetings
without other notice than such resolution.

    SECTION 4.  SPECIAL MEETINGS.  Special meetings of the Board of Directors
may be called by or at the request of the President or any two directors.  The
person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors
may fix any place as the place for holding any special meeting of the Board of
Directors called by them.

    SECTION 5.  NOTICE.  Notice of any special meeting shall be given at 
least two business days previous thereto by written notice to each director 
at his business address.  If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be 
delivered when deposited in the United States mail so addressed, with postage 
thereon prepaid. If notice be given by telegram, such notice shall be deemed 
to be delivered when the telegram is delivered to the telegram company. The 
attendance of a director at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice 
of such meeting, except where a director attends a meeting for the express 
purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting 
is not lawfully called or convened.  Neither the business to be transacted 
at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Board of 
Directors need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting.

    SECTION 6.  QUORUM.  Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of
incorporation, a majority of the number of directors elected by the shareholders
as indicated under Section 2 of this Article III shall constitute a quorum for
transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, provided that
if less than a majority of such number of directors are present at said meeting,
a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting at any time without
further notice.

    Unless specifically prohibited by the certificate of incorporation, members
of the Board of Directors or of any committee of the Board of Directors may
participate in and act at any meeting of the Board or such committee through the
use of a conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of
which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. 
Participation in such meeting shall constitute attendance and presence in person
at the meeting of the person or persons so participating.

    SECTION 7.  MANNER OF ACTING.  The act of the majority of the directors
present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board
of

  
                                        6
<PAGE>

 Directors, unless the act of a greater number is required by statute, these
by-laws, or the certificate of incorporation.

    SECTION 8.  VACANCIES.  Any vacancy on the Board of Directors and any
directorship to be filled by reason of an increase in the number of directors
may be filled by election at the next annual or special meeting of shareholders.
A majority of the Board of Directors may fill any vacancy prior to such annual
or special meeting of shareholders.

    SECTION 9.  RESIGNATION OF DIRECTORS.  A director may resign at any time
upon written notice to the Board of Directors, its chairman, if any, or to the
chief executive officer or Secretary of the Corporation.

    SECTION 10.  INFORMAL ACTION BY DIRECTORS.  Unless specifically prohibited
by the certificate of incorporation or by other provisions of these by-laws, any
action required to be taken at a meeting of the Board of Directors, or any other
action which may be taken at a meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any
committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing,
setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all the directors entitled
to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof, or by all the members of
such committee, as the case may be.  Any such consent signed by all the
directors or all the members of the committee shall have the same effect as a
unanimous vote, and may be stated as such in any document filed with the
Secretary of State or with anyone else.

    SECTION 11.  COMMITTEES.  A majority of the directors fixed by these 
by-laws may, by resolution, create one or more committees and appoint members 
of the Board to serve on any one or more of such committees.  Each committee 
shall have two or more members who shall serve at the pleasure of the Board.  
A majority of any committee shall constitute a quorum and a majority of a 
quorum is necessary for committee action.  Each committee, to the extent 
provided by the Board of Directors in such resolution, shall have and 
exercise all of the authority of the Board of Directors in the management of 
the Corporation, except that a committee may not:  authorize distributions; 
approve or recommend to shareholders any act required by statute to be 
approved by shareholders; fill vacancies on the Board or on any of its 
committees; elect or remove officers or fix the compensation of any member of 
the committee; adopt, amend or repeal the by-laws; approve a plan or merger 
not requiring shareholder approval; authorize or approve the reacquisition of 
shares, except according to a general formula or method prescribed by the 
Board; authorize or approve the issuance or sale, or contract for sale, of 
shares or determine the designation and relative rights, preferences, and 
limitations of a series of shares, except that the Board may direct a 
committee to fix the specific terms of issuance or sale or contract for sale 
or the number of shares to be allocated to particular employees under an 
employee benefit plan; or, amend, alter, repeal, or take action inconsistent 
with any resolution or action of the Board of Directors when the resolution 
or action of the Board of Directors provides by its terms that it shall not 
be amended, altered or repealed by action of a committee.  


                                          7
<PAGE>

Vacancies in the membership of any committee shall be filled by the Board of 
Directors.  Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its proceedings and 
report the same to the Board when required.  A committee may act by unanimous 
consent in writing without a meeting and, subject to action by the Board of 
Directors, each committee, by a majority vote of its members, shall determine 
the time and place of meetings and the notice therefor.

    SECTION 12.  COMPENSATION.  The Board of Directors, by the affirmative vote
of a majority of directors then in office, and irrespective of any personal
interest of any of its members, shall have authority to establish reasonable
compensation of all directors for services to the Corporation as directors,
officers or otherwise notwithstanding any director conflict of interest.  By
resolution of the Board of Directors, the directors may be paid their expenses,
if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board.  No such payment previously
mentioned in this Section shall preclude any director from serving the
Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.

    SECTION 13.  PRESUMPTION OF ASSENT.  A director of the Corporation who is
present at a meeting of the Board of Directors at which action on any corporate
matter is taken shall be conclusively presumed to have assented to the action
taken unless his or her dissent shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting
or unless he or she shall file his or her written dissent to such action with
the person acting as the secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof
or shall forward such dissent by registered or certified mail to the Secretary
of the Corporation immediately after the adjournment of the meeting.  Such right
to dissent shall not apply to a director who voted in favor of such action.

    SECTION 14.  REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS.  One or more of the directors may be 
removed, with or without cause, at a meeting of shareholders by the 
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares then 
entitled to vote at an election of directors, except that no director shall 
be removed at a meeting of shareholders unless the notice of such meeting 
shall state that a purpose of the meeting is to vote upon the removal of one 
or more directors named in the notice, and then only the named director or 
directors may be removed at such meeting.  If a director has been elected by 
a class or series of shares, he may be removed only by the shareholders of 
that class or series.

                                      ARTICLE IV

                                       OFFICERS

    SECTION 1.  NUMBER.  The officers of the Corporation shall be a President,
one or more Vice-Presidents, a Treasurer, a Secretary, and such Assistant
Treasurers, Assistant Secretaries and other officers as may be elected or
appointed by the Board of Directors.  Any two or more offices may be held by the
same person.


                                          8
<PAGE>


    SECTION 2.  ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE.  The officers of the Corporation
shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors at the first meeting of the
Board of Directors held after each annual meeting of shareholders.  If the
election of officers shall not be held at such meeting, such election shall be
held as soon thereafter as conveniently may be.  Vacancies may be filled or new
offices created and filled at any meeting of the Board of Directors.  Each
officer shall hold office until his successor shall have been duly elected and
shall have qualified or until his death or until he shall resign or shall have
been removed in the manner hereinafter provided.  Election of an officer shall
not of itself create contract rights.  Any officer may resign at any time by
giving notice to the Board of Directors or to the President or the Secretary.  A
resignation of an officer need not be accepted in order to be effective.

    SECTION 3.  REMOVAL.  Any officer elected or appointed by the Board of
Directors may be removed by the Board of Directors whenever in its judgment the
best interest of the Corporation would be served thereby, but such removal shall
be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed.

    SECTION 4.  VACANCIES.  A vacancy in any office because of death,
resignation, removal, disqualification or otherwise, may be filled by the Board
of Directors for the unexpired portion of the term.

    SECTION 5.  PRESIDENT.  The President shall be the principal executive 
officer of the Corporation.  Subject to the direction and control of the 
Board of Directors, he/she shall, in general:  supervise and control the 
business and affairs of the Corporation; see that the resolutions and 
directions of the Board of Directors are carried into effect except in those 
instances in which that responsibility is specifically assigned to some other 
person by the Board of Directors; and discharge all duties incident to the 
office of president and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board 
of Directors from time to time. He/she shall preside at all meetings of the 
shareholders and of the Board of Directors.  Except in those instances in 
which the authority to execute is expressly delegated to another officer or 
agent of the Corporation or a different mode of execution is expressly 
prescribed by the Board of Directors or these by-laws, he/she may execute for 
the Corporation certificates for its shares, and any contracts, deeds, 
mortgages, bonds, or other instruments which the Board of Directors has 
authorized to be executed, and he/she may accomplish such execution either 
under or without the seal (if any) of the Corporation and either individually 
or with the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary, or any other officer 
thereunto authorized by the Board of Directors, according to the requirements 
of the form of the instrument.  He/she may vote all securities which the 
Corporation is entitled to vote except as and to the extent such authority 
shall be vested in a different officer or agent of the Corporation by the 
Board of Directors.

    SECTION 6.  THE VICE PRESIDENTS.  The Vice President (or in the event there
be more than one Vice President, each of the Vice Presidents) shall assist the


                                          9
<PAGE>

President in the discharge of his/her duties as the President may direct and
shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him/her
by the President or by the Board of Directors.  In the absence of the President
or in the event of his/her inability or refusal to act, the Vice President (or
in the event there be more than one Vice President, the Vice Presidents in the
order designated by the Board of Directors, or by the President if the Board of
Directors has not made such a designation, or in the absence of any designation,
then in the order of seniority of tenure as Vice President) shall perform the
duties of the President, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be
subject to all the restrictions upon the President.  Except in those instances
in which the authority to execute is expressly delegated to another officer or
agent of the Corporation or a different mode of execution is expressly
prescribed by the Board of Directors or these by-laws, the Vice President (or
each of them if there are more than one) may execute for the Corporation
certificates for its shares and any contracts, deeds, mortgages, bonds or other
instruments which the Board of Directors has authorized to be executed, and
he/she may accomplish such execution either under or without the seal (if any)
of the Corporation and either individually or with the Secretary, any Assistant
Secretary, or any other officer thereunto authorized by the Board of Directors,
according to the requirements of the form of the instrument, except when a
different mode of execution is expressly prescribed by the Board of Directors or
these by-laws.

    SECTION 7.  THE TREASURER.  The Treasurer shall:  (a) have charge of and be
responsible for the maintenance of adequate books of account for the
Corporation; (b) have charge and custody of all funds and securities of the
Corporation, and be responsible therefor and for the receipt and disbursement
thereof; and (c) perform all the duties incident to the office of treasurer and
such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the President
or by the Board of Directors.  If required by the Board of Directors, the
Treasurer shall give a bond for the faithful discharge of his duties in such sum
and with such surety or sureties as the Board of Directors may determine.

    SECTION 8.  THE SECRETARY.  The Secretary shall:  (a) record the minutes 
of the shareholders' and of the Board of Directors' meetings in one or more 
books provided for that purpose; (b) see that all notices are duly given in 
accordance with the provisions of these by-laws; (c) be custodian of the 
corporate records and of the seal (if any) of the Corporation; (d) keep a 
register of the post office address of each shareholder which shall be 
furnished to the Secretary by such shareholder; (e) sign, with the President 
or a Vice President or any other officer thereunto authorized by the Board of 
Directors, certificates for shares of the Corporation, the issue of which 
shall have been authorized by the Board of Directors, and any contracts, 
deeds, mortgages, bonds, or other instruments which the Board of Directors 
has authorized to be executed, according to the requirements of the form of 
the instrument, except when a different mode of execution is expressly 
prescribed by the Board of Directors or these by-laws; (f) have general 
charge of the stock transfer books of the Corporation; (g) have authority to 
certify the by-laws, resolutions of the shareholders and Board of Directors 


                                          10
<PAGE>

and committees thereof, and other documents of the Corporation as true and 
correct copies thereof; and (h) perform all duties incident to the office of 
secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to 
him/her by the President or by the Board of Directors.

    SECTION 9.  ASSISTANT TREASURERS AND ASSISTANT SECRETARIES.   The Assistant
Treasurers and Assistant Secretaries shall perform such duties as shall be
assigned to them by the Treasurer or the Secretary, respectively, or by the
President or the Board of Directors.  The Assistant Secretaries may sign with
the President, or a Vice President, or any other officer thereunto authorized by
the Board of Directors, certificates for shares of the Corporation, the issue of
which shall have been authorized by the Board of Directors, and any contracts,
deeds, mortgages, bonds, or other instruments which the Board of Directors has
authorized to be executed, according to the requirements of the form of the
instrument, except when a different mode of execution is expressly prescribed by
the Board of Directors or these by-laws.  The Assistant Treasurers shall
respectively, if required by the Board of Directors, give bonds for the faithful
discharge of their duties in such sums and with such sureties as the board of
directors shall determine.

    SECTION 10.  SALARIES.  The salaries of the officers shall be fixed from
time to time by the Board of Directors and no officer shall be prevented from
receiving such salary by reason of the fact that he is also a director of the
Corporation.


                                      ARTICLE V

                        CONTRACTS, LOANS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS

    SECTION 1.  CONTRACTS.  The Board of Directors may authorize any officer or
officers, agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any
instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, and such authority
may be general or confined to specific instances.

    SECTION 2.  LOANS.  No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the
Corporation and no evidences of indebtedness shall be issued in its name unless
authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors.

    SECTION 3.  CHECKS, DRAFTS, ETC.  All checks, drafts or other orders for
the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the
name of the Corporation, shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent or
agents of the Corporation and in such manner as shall from time to time be
determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.

    SECTION 4.  DEPOSITS.  All funds of the Corporation not otherwise employed
shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Corporation in such
banks, trust companies or other depositaries as the Board of Directors may
select.


                                        11

<PAGE>

                                      ARTICLE VI

                              SHARES AND THEIR TRANSFER

    SECTION 1.  SHARES REPRESENTED BY CERTIFICATES AND UNCERTIFICATED SHARES. 
The issued shares of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates or
shall be uncertificated shares.

    Certificates representing shares of the Corporation shall be signed by the
appropriate officers and may be sealed with the seal (if any) or a facsimile of
the seal of the Corporation.  If a certificate is countersigned by a transfer
agent or registrar, other than the Corporation or its employee, any other
signatures may be facsimile.  Each certificate representing shares shall be
consecutively numbered or otherwise identified, and shall also state the name of
the person to whom issued, the number and class of shares (with designation of
series, if any), the date of issue, and that the Corporation is organized under
Delaware law.  If the Corporation is authorized to issue shares of more than one
class or of series within a class, the certificate shall also contain such
information or statement as may be required by law.

    Unless prohibited by the certificate of incorporation, the Board of
Directors may provide by resolution that some or all of any class or series of
shares shall be uncertificated shares.  Any such resolution shall not apply to
shares represented by a certificate until the certificate has been surrendered
to the Corporation.  Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of
uncertificated shares, the Corporation shall send the registered owner thereof a
written notice of all information that would appear on a certificate.  Except as
otherwise expressly provided by law, the rights and obligations of the holders
of uncertificated shares shall be as identical to those of the holders of
certificates representing shares of the same class and series.

    The name and address of each shareholder, the number and class of shares
held and the date on which the shares were issued shall be entered on the books
of the Corporation.  The person in whose name shares stand on the books of the
Corporation shall be deemed the owner thereof for all purposes as regards the
Corporation.

    SECTION 2.  LOST CERTIFICATES.  If a certificate representing shares has
allegedly been lost or destroyed the Board of Directors may in its discretion,
except as may be required by law, direct that a new certificate be issued upon
such indemnification and other reasonable requirements as it may impose.

    SECTION 3.  TRANSFER OF SHARES.  Transfer of shares of the Corporation
shall be recorded on the books of the Corporation.  Transfer of shares
represented by a certificate, except in the case of a lost or destroyed
certificate, shall be made on surrender for cancellation of the certificate for
such shares.  A certificate presented for transfer must be duly endorsed and
accompanied by proper guaranty of signature and 


                                          12
<PAGE>

other appropriate assurances that the endorsement is effective.  Transfer of 
an uncertificated share shall be made on receipt by the Corporation of an 
instruction from the registered owner or other appropriate person.  The 
instruction shall be in writing or a communication in such form as may be 
agreed upon in writing by the Corporation.

                                     ARTICLE VII

                                     FISCAL YEAR

    The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the
Board of Directors.


                                     ARTICLE VIII

                                    DISTRIBUTIONS

    The Board of Directors may authorize, and the Corporation may make,
distributions to its shareholders, subject to any restrictions in its
certificate of incorporation or provided by law.


                                      ARTICLE IX

                                         SEAL

    The corporate seal, if any, may be used by causing it or a facsimile
thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced, provided
that the affixing of the corporate seal to an instrument shall not give the
instrument additional force or effect, or change the construction thereof, and
the use of the corporate seal, if any, is not mandatory.


                                      ARTICLE X

                                   WAIVER OF NOTICE

    Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of these
by-laws or under the provisions of the certificate of incorporation or under the
provisions of the General Corporation Law, a waiver thereof in writing, signed
by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the
time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. 
Attendance at any meeting shall constitute waiver of notice thereof unless the
person at the meeting objects to the holding of the meeting because proper
notice was not given.


                                          13
<PAGE>

                                      ARTICLE XI

                                   INDEMNIFICATION

    Each person who at any time is or shall have been a director, officer, 
employee or agent of this Corporation, or is or shall have been serving at 
the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of 
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, 
shall be indemnified by this Corporation in accordance with and to the full 
extent permitted by the General Corporation Law.  The foregoing right of 
indemnification shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which a 
person seeking indemnification may be entitled under any by-law, agreement, 
vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.  If authorized 
by the Board of Directors, the Corporation may purchase and maintain 
insurance on behalf of any person to the full extent permitted by the General 
Corporation Law.

                                     ARTICLE XII

                                      AMENDMENTS

    Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, these
by-laws may be made, altered, amended or repealed by the shareholders or the
Board of Directors, but no by-law adopted by the shareholders may be altered,
amended or repealed by the Board of Directors.





                                          14

<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 3.11

                                 AMENDED AND RESTATED
                              ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
                                          OF
                         EX-CELL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.

    The undersigned natural person, in order to form a corporation for the
purposes hereinafter stated, under and pursuant to the Arkansas Business
Corporation Act, hereby certifies as follows:

    1.   The name of this corporation is EX-CELL Manufacturing Company, Inc.

    2.   The street address of the corporation's registered office is One
Riverfront Place, 8th Floor, North Little Rock, Arkansas 72114, and the name of
the registered agent of the corporation at that address shall be The
Prentice-Hall Corporation System.

    3.   The nature of the business of the corporation and the primary object
or purposes proposed to be transacted, promoted or carried on by it, are as
follows:

         (a)  to operate a business for the manufacture, distribution and sale
    of cold pressure washers, automotive products, generators and compressors;
    and

         (b)  to conduct any other business enterprise not contrary to law; and

         (c)  to buy, sell, lease, use, develop, mortgage, improve and
    otherwise deal in and dispose of all types of real or personal property in
    connection with the conduct of business enterprise carried on by the
    corporation; and

         (d)  to exercise all of the powers enumerated in the Arkansas Business
    Corporation Act and all other powers not contrary to law.

    4.   The total amount of authorized capital stock of this corporation is
1,000 shares of common stock with five cents ($.05) par value each.


<PAGE>

    5.   The name and post office address of the original incorporator is as
follows:

         NAME:               POST OFFICE ADDRESS:
         ----                -------------------
         John R. Elrod       115 North Broadway
                             Siloam Springs, AR 72761

    6.   The number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall be
provided in the Bylaws of the corporation.  The Board of Directors shall have
all those powers and duties enumerated in the Arkansas Business Corporation Act.

    7.   The personal liability of the directors of the corporation is
eliminated to the fullest extent permitted to the provisions of the Arkansas
Business Corporation Act, as the same may be amended and supplemented.

    8.   The corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by the
provisions of the Arkansas Business Corporation Act, as the same may be amended
and supplemented, indemnify any and all persons whom it shall have power to
indemnify under said provisions from and against any and all of the expenses,
liabilities, or other matters referred to in or covered by said provisions, and
the indemnification provided for herein shall not be deemed exclusive of any
other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled under any Bylaw, vote of
shareholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise, both as to action in his
official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such
office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director,
officer, employee, or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs,
executors, and administrators of such person.

    9.   The duration of the corporation shall be perpetual.


                                          2

<PAGE>



                                                                    EXHIBIT 3.12

                                                                  Revised 8/1/96


                                       BY-LAWS

                                          OF

                         EX-CELL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.



                                      ARTICLE I

                                       OFFICES

    Ex-Cell Manufacturing Company, Inc. (the "Corporation") shall continuously
maintain in the State of Arkansas a registered office and a registered agent
whose business office is identical with such registered office, and may have
other offices within or without the State.

                                      ARTICLE II

                                     SHAREHOLDERS

    SECTION 1.  ANNUAL MEETING.  An annual meeting of the shareholders shall be
held in July of each year or at such time as the Board of Directors may
designate for the purpose of electing directors and for the transaction of such
other business as may come before the meeting.  If the election of directors
shall not be held on the day designated herein for any annual meeting, or at any
adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors shall cause the election to be held
at a meeting of the shareholders as soon thereafter as may be convenient.

    SECTION 2.  SPECIAL MEETINGS.  Special meetings of the shareholders may be
called either by the President, by the Board of Directors or by the holders of
not less than one-fifth of all the outstanding shares of the Corporation
entitled to vote, for the purpose or purposes stated in the call of the meeting.

    SECTION 3.  PLACE OF MEETING.  The Board of Directors may designate any
place, either within or without the State of Arkansas, as the place of meeting
for any annual meeting or for any special meeting called by the Board of
Directors.  A waiver of notice signed by all shareholders may designate any
place, either within or without the State of Arkansas, as the place for the
holding of such meeting.  If no designation is made, or if a special meeting be
otherwise called, the place of meeting shall be at the Corporation's principal
executive office of the Corporation in Chicago, Illinois, except as otherwise
provided in Section 5 of this Article II.

                                       1

<PAGE>

    SECTION 4.  NOTICE OF MEETINGS.  Written notice stating the place, date,
and hour of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or
purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be delivered not less than 10
nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting, or in the case of a
merger, consolidation, share exchange, dissolution or sale, lease or exchange of
assets not less than 20 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting,
either personally or by mail, by or at the direction of the President, or the
Secretary, or the officer or persons calling the meeting, to each shareholder of
record entitled to vote at such meeting.  If mailed, such notice shall be deemed
to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail addressed to the
shareholder at his or her address as it appears on the records of the
corporation, with postage thereon prepaid.  When a meeting is adjourned to
another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the
time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is
taken.

    SECTION 5.  MEETING OF ALL SHAREHOLDERS.  If all of the shareholders shall
meet at any time and place, either within or without the State of Delaware, and
consent to the holding of a meeting at such time and place, such meeting shall
be valid without call or notice, and at such meeting any corporate action may be
taken.

    SECTION 6.  CLOSING OF TRANSFER BOOKS OR FIXING OF RECORD DATE.  For the
purpose of determining the shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any
meeting of shareholders, or shareholders entitled to receive payment of any
dividend, or in order to make a determination of shareholders for any other
proper purpose, the Board of Directors may fix in advance a date as the record
date for any such determination of shareholders, such date in any case to be not
more than 60 days and for a meeting of shareholders, not less than 10 days, or
in the case of a merger, consolidation, share exchange, dissolution or sale,
lease or exchange of assets, not less than 20 days before the date of such
meeting.  If no record date is fixed for the determination of shareholders
entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders, or shareholders
entitled to receive payment of a dividend, the date on which notice of the
meeting is mailed or the date on which the resolution of the Board of Directors
declaring such dividend is adopted, as the case may be, shall be the record date
for such determination of shareholders.  When a determination of shareholders
entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders has been made as provided in
this Section, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof.

    SECTION 7.  VOTING LISTS.  The officer or agent having charge of the
transfer book for shares of the Corporation shall make, within 20 days after the
record date for a meeting of shareholders or 10 days before such meeting,
whichever is earlier, a complete list of the shareholders entitled to vote at
such meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, with the address of and the number
of shares held by each, which list, for a period of 10 days prior to such
meeting, shall be kept on file at the principal executive office of the
Corporation in Chicago, Illinois and shall be subject to inspection by any
shareholder, and to copying at the shareholder's expense, at any time during
usual business hours.  Such list shall also be produced and kept open at the
time and 


                                          2
<PAGE>

place of the meeting and shall be subject to the inspection of any 
shareholder during the whole time of the meeting.  The original share ledger 
or transfer book, or a duplicate thereof, shall be prima facie evidence as to 
who are the shareholders entitled to examine such list or share ledger or 
transfer book or to vote at any meeting of shareholders.

    SECTION 8.  QUORUM.  The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of
the Corporation entitled to vote on a matter, represented in person or by proxy,
shall constitute a quorum for consideration of such matter at any meeting of
shareholders, but in no event shall a quorum consist of less than one-third of
the outstanding shares entitled so to vote; provided that if less than a
majority of the outstanding shares are represented at said meeting, a majority
of the shares so represented may adjourn the meeting at any time without further
notice.  If a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of the majority of the
shares represented at the meeting shall be the act of the shareholders, unless
the vote of a greater number or voting by classes is required by the Delaware
General Corporation Law (as now in effect or as amended from time to time, the
"General Corporation Law"), the certificate of incorporation or these by-laws. 
At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present, any business may be
transacted which might have been transacted at the original meeting.  Withdrawal
of shareholders from any meeting shall not cause failure of a duly constituted
quorum at that meeting.

    SECTION 9.  PROXIES.  At all meetings of shareholders, a shareholder may
vote by proxy executed in writing by the shareholder or by his duly authorized
attorney-in-fact.  Such proxy shall be filed with the Secretary of the
Corporation before or at the time of the meeting.  No proxy shall be valid after
eleven months from the date of its execution, unless otherwise provided in the
proxy.

    SECTION 10.  VOTING OF SHARES.  Unless otherwise provided in the
certificate of incorporation, each outstanding share shall be entitled to one
(1) vote upon each matter submitted to vote at a meeting of shareholders.

    SECTION 11.  VOTING OF SHARES BY CERTAIN HOLDERS.  Shares held by the
Corporation in a fiduciary capacity may be voted and shall be counted in
determining the total number of outstanding shares entitled to vote at any given
time.

    Shares registered in the name of another corporation, domestic or foreign,
may be voted by any officer, agent, proxy or other legal representative
authorized to vote such shares under the law of incorporation or such
corporation.  The Corporation may treat the president or other person holding
the position of chief executive officer of such other corporation as authorized
to vote such shares, together with any other person indicated and any other
holder of any office indicated by the corporate shareholder to the Corporation
as a person or an officer authorized to vote such shares.  Such persons and
officers indicated shall be registered by the Corporation on the transfer books
for 


                                          3
<PAGE>

shares and included in any voting list prepared in accordance with Section 7 
of this Article II.

    Shares registered in the name of a deceased person, a minor ward or a
person under legal disability, may be voted by his or her administrator,
executor or court appointed guardian, either in person or by proxy without a
transfer of such shares into the name of such administrator, executor or court
appointed guardian.  Shares registered in the name of a trustee may be voted by
him or her, either in person or by proxy.

    Shares registered in the name of a receiver may be voted by such receiver,
and shares held by or under the control of a receiver may be voted by such
receiver without the transfer thereof
into his or her name if authority to do so is contained in an appropriate order
of the court by which such receiver was appointed.

    A shareholder whose shares are pledged shall be entitled to vote such
shares until the shares have been transferred into the name of the pledgee, and
thereafter the pledgee shall be entitled to vote the shares so transferred.

    Any number of shareholders may create a voting trust for the purpose of
conferring upon a trustee or trustees the right to vote or otherwise represent
their shares, for a period not to exceed 10 years, by entering into a written
voting trust agreement specifying the terms and conditions of the voting trust,
and by transferring their shares to such trustee or trustees for the purpose of
the agreement.  Any such trust agreement shall not become effective until a
counterpart of the agreement is deposited with the Corporation at its registered
office.  The counterpart of the voting trust agreement so deposited with the
Corporation shall be subject to the same right of examination by a shareholder
of the Corporation, in person or by agent or attorney, as are the books and
records of the Corporation, and shall be subject to examination by any holder of
a beneficial interest in the voting trust, either in person or by agent or
attorney, at any reasonable time for any proper purpose.

    Shares of its own stock belonging to this Corporation shall not be voted,
directly or indirectly, at any meeting and shall not be counted in determining
the total number of outstanding shares at any given time, but shares of its own
stock held by it in a fiduciary capacity may be voted and shall be counted in
determining the total number of outstanding shares at any given time.

    SECTION 12.  INSPECTORS.  At any meeting of shareholders, the presiding
officer may, or upon the request of any shareholder, shall appoint one or more
persons as inspectors for such meeting.

    Such inspectors shall ascertain and report the number of shares represented
at the meeting, based upon their determination of the validity and effect of
proxies; count 


                                          4
<PAGE>

all votes and report the results; and do such other acts as are
proper to conduct the election and voting with impartiality and fairness to all
the shareholders.

    Each report of an inspector shall be in writing and signed by him or her or
by a majority of them if there be more than one inspector acting at such
meeting.  If there is more than one inspector, the report of a majority shall be
the report of the inspectors.  The report of the inspector or inspectors on the
number of shares represented at the meeting and the results of the voting shall
be prima facie evidence thereof.

    SECTION 13.  INFORMAL ACTION BY SHAREHOLDERS.  Any action required to be 
taken at a meeting of the shareholders, or any other action which may be 
taken at a meeting of the shareholders, may be taken without a meeting and 
without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken 
shall be signed (a) if 5 days prior notice of the proposed action is given in 
writing to all of the shareholders entitled to vote with respect to the 
subject matter hereof, by the holders of outstanding shares having not less 
than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take 
such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were 
present and voting or (b) by all of the shareholders entitled to vote with 
respect to the subject matter thereof.

    Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by
less than unanimous written consent shall be given in writing to those
shareholders who have not consented in writing.  In the event that the action
which is consented to is such as would have required the filing of a certificate
under any section of the General Corporation Law if such action had been voted
on by the shareholders at a meeting thereof, the certificate filed under such
section shall state, in lieu of any statement required by such section
concerning any vote of shareholders, that written consent has been given in
accordance with the provisions of the General Corporation Law and that written
notice has been given as provided in the General Corporation Law.

    SECTION 14.  VOTING BY BALLOT.  Voting on any question or in any election
may be by voice unless the presiding officer shall order or any shareholder
shall demand that voting be by ballot.


                                     ARTICLE III

                                      DIRECTORS

    SECTION 1.  GENERAL POWERS.  The business of the Corporation shall be
managed by or under the direction of its Board of Directors.

    SECTION 2.  NUMBER, TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS.  The number of directors of
the Corporation shall be at least one (1) but not more than eleven (11).  Each
director shall hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders; or
until his successor shall have been elected and qualified.  Directors need not
be residents of 


                                          5
<PAGE>

Delaware or shareholders of the Corporation.  The number of
directors may be increased or decreased from time to time by the amendment of
this Section 2.  No decrease shall have the effect of shortening the term of any
incumbent director.

    SECTION 3.  REGULAR MEETINGS.  A regular meeting of the Board of Directors
shall be held without other notice than this by-law, immediately after the
annual meeting of shareholders.  The Board of Directors may provide, by
resolution, the time and place for holding of additional regular meetings
without other notice than such resolution.

    SECTION 4.  SPECIAL MEETINGS.  Special meetings of the Board of Directors
may be called by or at the request of the President or any two directors.  The
person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors
may fix any place as the place for holding any special meeting of the Board of
Directors called by them.

    SECTION 5.  NOTICE.  Notice of any special meeting shall be given at 
least two business days previous thereto by written notice to each director 
at his business address.  If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be 
delivered when deposited in the United States mail so addressed, with postage 
thereon prepaid. If notice be given by telegram, such notice shall be deemed 
to be delivered when the telegram is delivered to the telegram company. The 
attendance of a director at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice 
of such meeting, except where a director attends a meeting for the express 
purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting 
is not lawfully called or convened.  Neither the business to be transacted 
at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Board of 
Directors need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting.

    SECTION 6.  QUORUM.  Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of
incorporation, a majority of the number of directors elected by the shareholders
as indicated under Section 2 of this Article III shall constitute a quorum for
transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, provided that
if less than a majority of such number of directors are present at said meeting,
a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting at any time without
further notice.

    Unless specifically prohibited by the certificate of incorporation, members
of the Board of Directors or of any committee of the Board of Directors may
participate in and act at any meeting of the Board or such committee through the
use of a conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of
which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. 
Participation in such meeting shall constitute attendance and presence in person
at the meeting of the person or persons so participating.

    SECTION 7.  MANNER OF ACTING.  The act of the majority of the directors
present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board
of


                                          6
<PAGE>

 Directors, unless the act of a greater number is required by statute, these
by-laws, or the certificate of incorporation.

    SECTION 8.  VACANCIES.  Any vacancy on the Board of Directors and any
directorship to be filled by reason of an increase in the number of directors
may be filled by election at the next annual or special meeting of shareholders.
A majority of the Board of Directors may fill any vacancy prior to such annual
or special meeting of shareholders.

    SECTION 9.  RESIGNATION OF DIRECTORS.  A director may resign at any time
upon written notice to the Board of Directors, its chairman, if any, or to the
chief executive officer or Secretary of the Corporation.

    SECTION 10.  INFORMAL ACTION BY DIRECTORS.  Unless specifically prohibited
by the certificate of incorporation or by other provisions of these by-laws, any
action required to be taken at a meeting of the Board of Directors, or any other
action which may be taken at a meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any
committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing,
setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all the directors entitled
to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof, or by all the members of
such committee, as the case may be.  Any such consent signed by all the
directors or all the members of the committee shall have the same effect as a
unanimous vote, and may be stated as such in any document filed with the
Secretary of State or with anyone else.

    SECTION 11.  COMMITTEES.  A majority of the directors fixed by these 
by-laws may, by resolution, create one or more committees and appoint members 
of the Board to serve on any one or more of such committees.  Each committee 
shall have two or more members who shall serve at the pleasure of the Board.  
A majority of any committee shall constitute a quorum and a majority of a 
quorum is necessary for committee action.  Each committee, to the extent 
provided by the Board of Directors in such resolution, shall have and 
exercise all of the authority of the Board of Directors in the management of 
the Corporation, except that a committee may not:  authorize distributions; 
approve or recommend to shareholders any act required by statute to be 
approved by shareholders; fill vacancies on the Board or on any of its 
committees; elect or remove officers or fix the compensation of any member of 
the committee; adopt, amend or repeal the by-laws; approve a plan or merger 
not requiring shareholder approval; authorize or approve the reacquisition of 
shares, except according to a general formula or method prescribed by the 
Board; authorize or approve the issuance or sale, or contract for sale, of 
shares or determine the designation and relative rights, preferences, and 
limitations of a series of shares, except that the Board may direct a 
committee to fix the specific terms of issuance or sale or contract for sale 
or the number of shares to be allocated to particular employees under an 
employee benefit plan; or, amend, alter, repeal, or take action inconsistent 
with any resolution or action of the Board of Directors when the resolution 
or action of the Board of Directors provides by its terms that it shall not 
be amended, altered or repealed by action of a committee.  


                                          7
<PAGE>

Vacancies in the membership of any committee shall be filled by the Board of 
Directors.  Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its proceedings and 
report the same to the Board when required.  A committee may act by unanimous 
consent in writing without a meeting and, subject to action by the Board of 
Directors, each committee, by a majority vote of its members, shall determine 
the time and place of meetings and the notice therefor.

    SECTION 12.  COMPENSATION.  The Board of Directors, by the affirmative vote
of a majority of directors then in office, and irrespective of any personal
interest of any of its members, shall have authority to establish reasonable
compensation of all directors for services to the Corporation as directors,
officers or otherwise notwithstanding any director conflict of interest.  By
resolution of the Board of Directors, the directors may be paid their expenses,
if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board.  No such payment previously
mentioned in this Section shall preclude any director from serving the
Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.

    SECTION 13.  PRESUMPTION OF ASSENT.  A director of the Corporation who is
present at a meeting of the Board of Directors at which action on any corporate
matter is taken shall be conclusively presumed to have assented to the action
taken unless his or her dissent shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting
or unless he or she shall file his or her written dissent to such action with
the person acting as the secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof
or shall forward such dissent by registered or certified mail to the Secretary
of the Corporation immediately after the adjournment of the meeting.  Such right
to dissent shall not apply to a director who voted in favor of such action.

    SECTION 14.  REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS.  One or more of the directors may be 
removed, with or without cause, at a meeting of shareholders by the 
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares then 
entitled to vote at an election of directors, except that no director shall 
be removed at a meeting of shareholders unless the notice of such meeting 
shall state that a purpose of the meeting is to vote upon the removal of one 
or more directors named in the notice, and then only the named director or 
directors may be removed at such meeting.  If a director has been elected by 
a class or series of shares, he may be removed only by the shareholders of 
that class or series.

                                      ARTICLE IV

                                       OFFICERS

    SECTION 1.  NUMBER.  The officers of the Corporation shall be a President,
one or more Vice-Presidents, a Treasurer, a Secretary, and such Assistant
Treasurers, Assistant Secretaries and other officers as may be elected or
appointed by the Board of Directors.  Any two or more offices may be held by the
same person.


                                          8
<PAGE>


    SECTION 2.  ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE.  The officers of the Corporation
shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors at the first meeting of the
Board of Directors held after each annual meeting of shareholders.  If the
election of officers shall not be held at such meeting, such election shall be
held as soon thereafter as conveniently may be.  Vacancies may be filled or new
offices created and filled at any meeting of the Board of Directors.  Each
officer shall hold office until his successor shall have been duly elected and
shall have qualified or until his death or until he shall resign or shall have
been removed in the manner hereinafter provided.  Election of an officer shall
not of itself create contract rights.  Any officer may resign at any time by
giving notice to the Board of Directors or to the President or the Secretary.  A
resignation of an officer need not be accepted in order to be effective.

    SECTION 3.  REMOVAL.  Any officer elected or appointed by the Board of
Directors may be removed by the Board of Directors whenever in its judgment the
best interest of the Corporation would be served thereby, but such removal shall
be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed.

    SECTION 4.  VACANCIES.  A vacancy in any office because of death,
resignation, removal, disqualification or otherwise, may be filled by the Board
of Directors for the unexpired portion of the term.

    SECTION 5.  PRESIDENT.  The President shall be the principal executive 
officer of the Corporation.  Subject to the direction and control of the 
Board of Directors, he/she shall, in general:  supervise and control the 
business and affairs of the Corporation; see that the resolutions and 
directions of the Board of Directors are carried into effect except in those 
instances in which that responsibility is specifically assigned to some other 
person by the Board of Directors; and discharge all duties incident to the 
office of president and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board 
of Directors from time to time. He/she shall preside at all meetings of the 
shareholders and of the Board of Directors.  Except in those instances in 
which the authority to execute is expressly delegated to another officer or 
agent of the Corporation or a different mode of execution is expressly 
prescribed by the Board of Directors or these by-laws, he/she may execute for 
the Corporation certificates for its shares, and any contracts, deeds, 
mortgages, bonds, or other instruments which the Board of Directors has 
authorized to be executed, and he/she may accomplish such execution either 
under or without the seal (if any) of the Corporation and either individually 
or with the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary, or any other officer 
thereunto authorized by the Board of Directors, according to the requirements 
of the form of the instrument.  He/she may vote all securities which the 
Corporation is entitled to vote except as and to the extent such authority 
shall be vested in a different officer or agent of the Corporation by the 
Board of Directors.

    SECTION 6.  THE VICE PRESIDENTS.  The Vice President (or in the event there
be more than one Vice President, each of the Vice Presidents) shall assist the


                                          9
<PAGE>

President in the discharge of his/her duties as the President may direct and
shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him/her
by the President or by the Board of Directors.  In the absence of the President
or in the event of his/her inability or refusal to act, the Vice President (or
in the event there be more than one Vice President, the Vice Presidents in the
order designated by the Board of Directors, or by the President if the Board of
Directors has not made such a designation, or in the absence of any designation,
then in the order of seniority of tenure as Vice President) shall perform the
duties of the President, and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be
subject to all the restrictions upon the President.  Except in those instances
in which the authority to execute is expressly delegated to another officer or
agent of the Corporation or a different mode of execution is expressly
prescribed by the Board of Directors or these by-laws, the Vice President (or
each of them if there are more than one) may execute for the Corporation
certificates for its shares and any contracts, deeds, mortgages, bonds or other
instruments which the Board of Directors has authorized to be executed, and
he/she may accomplish such execution either under or without the seal (if any)
of the Corporation and either individually or with the Secretary, any Assistant
Secretary, or any other officer therein authorized by the Board of Directors,
according to the requirements of the form of the instrument, except when a
different mode of execution is expressly prescribed by the Board of Directors or
these by-laws.

    SECTION 7.  THE TREASURER.  The Treasurer shall:  (a) have charge of and be
responsible for the maintenance of adequate books of account for the
Corporation; (b) have charge and custody of all funds and securities of the
Corporation, and be responsible therefor and for the receipt and disbursement
thereof; and (c) perform all the duties incident to the office of treasurer and
such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the President
or by the Board of Directors.  If required by the Board of Directors, the
Treasurer shall give a bond for the faithful discharge of his duties in such sum
and with such surety or sureties as the Board of Directors may determine.

    SECTION 8.  THE SECRETARY.  The Secretary shall:  (a) record the minutes 
of the shareholders' and of the Board of Directors' meetings in one or more 
books provided for that purpose; (b) see that all notices are duly given in 
accordance with the provisions of these by-laws; (c) be custodian of the 
corporate records and of the seal (if any) of the Corporation; (d) keep a 
register of the post office address of each shareholder which shall be 
furnished to the Secretary by such shareholder; (e) sign, with the President 
or a Vice President or any other officer thereunto authorized by the Board of 
Directors, certificates for shares of the Corporation, the issue of which 
shall have been authorized by the Board of Directors, and any contracts, 
deeds, mortgages, bonds, or other instruments which the Board of Directors 
has authorized to be executed, according to the requirements of the form of 
the instrument, except when a different mode of execution is expressly 
prescribed by the Board of Directors or these by-laws; (f) have general 
charge of the stock transfer books of the Corporation; (g) have authority to 
certify the by-laws, resolutions of the shareholders and Board of Directors 


                                          10
<PAGE>

and committees thereof, and other documents of the Corporation as true and 
correct copies thereof; and (h) perform all duties incident to the office of 
secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to 
him/her by the President or by the Board of Directors.

    SECTION 9.  ASSISTANT TREASURERS AND ASSISTANT SECRETARIES.   The Assistant
Treasurers and Assistant Secretaries shall perform such duties as shall be
assigned to them by the Treasurer or the Secretary, respectively, or by the
President or the Board of Directors.  The Assistant Secretaries may sign with
the President, or a Vice President, or any other officer thereunto authorized by
the Board of Directors, certificates for shares of the Corporation, the issue of
which shall have been authorized by the Board of Directors, and any contracts,
deeds, mortgages, bonds, or other instruments which the Board of Directors has
authorized to be executed, according to the requirements of the form of the
instrument, except when a different mode of execution is expressly prescribed by
the Board of Directors or these by-laws.  The Assistant Treasurers shall
respectively, if required by the Board of Directors, give bonds for the faithful
discharge of their duties in such sums and with such sureties as the board of
directors shall determine.

    SECTION 10.  SALARIES.  The salaries of the officers shall be fixed from
time to time by the Board of Directors and no officer shall be prevented from
receiving such salary by reason of the fact that he is also a director of the
Corporation.


                                      ARTICLE V

                        CONTRACTS, LOANS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS

    SECTION 1.  CONTRACTS.  The Board of Directors may authorize any officer or
officers, agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any
instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, and such authority
may be general or confined to specific instances.

    SECTION 2.  LOANS.  No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the
Corporation and no evidences of indebtedness shall be issued in its name unless
authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors.

    SECTION 3.  CHECKS, DRAFTS, ETC.  All checks, drafts or other orders for
the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the
name of the Corporation, shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent or
agents of the Corporation and in such manner as shall from time to time be
determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.

    SECTION 4.  DEPOSITS.  All funds of the Corporation not otherwise employed
shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Corporation in such
banks, trust companies or other depositaries as the Board of Directors may
select.


                                        11
<PAGE>
                                     ARTICLE VI

                              SHARES AND THEIR TRANSFER

    SECTION 1.  SHARES REPRESENTED BY CERTIFICATES AND UNCERTIFICATED SHARES. 
The issued shares of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates or
shall be uncertificated shares.

    Certificates representing shares of the Corporation shall be signed by the
appropriate officers and may be sealed with the seal (if any) or a facsimile of
the seal of the Corporation.  If a certificate is countersigned by a transfer
agent or registrar, other than the Corporation or its employee, any other
signatures may be facsimile.  Each certificate representing shares shall be
consecutively numbered or otherwise identified, and shall also state the name of
the person to whom issued, the number and class of shares (with designation of
series, if any), the date of issue, and that the Corporation is organized under
Delaware law.  If the Corporation is authorized to issue shares of more than one
class or of series within a class, the certificate shall also contain such
information or statement as may be required by law.

    Unless prohibited by the certificate of incorporation, the Board of
Directors may provide by resolution that some or all of any class or series of
shares shall be uncertificated shares.  Any such resolution shall not apply to
shares represented by a certificate until the certificate has been surrendered
to the Corporation.  Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of
uncertificated shares, the Corporation shall send the registered owner thereof a
written notice of all information that would appear on a certificate.  Except as
otherwise expressly provided by law, the rights and obligations of the holders
of uncertificated shares shall be as identical to those of the holders of
certificates representing shares of the same class and series.

    The name and address of each shareholder, the number and class of shares
held and the date on which the shares were issued shall be entered on the books
of the Corporation.  The person in whose name shares stand on the books of the
Corporation shall be deemed the owner thereof for all purposes as regards the
Corporation.

    SECTION 2.  LOST CERTIFICATES.  If a certificate representing shares has
allegedly been lost or destroyed the Board of Directors may in its discretion,
except as may be required by law, direct that a new certificate be issued upon
such indemnification and other reasonable requirements as it may impose.

    SECTION 3.  TRANSFER OF SHARES.  Transfer of shares of the Corporation
shall be recorded on the books of the Corporation.  Transfer of shares
represented by a certificate, except in the case of a lost or destroyed
certificate, shall be made on surrender for cancellation of the certificate for
such shares.  A certificate presented for transfer must be duly endorsed and
accompanied by proper guaranty of signature and 


                                          12
<PAGE>

other appropriate assurances that the endorsement is effective.  Transfer of 
an uncertificated share shall be made on receipt by the Corporation of an 
instruction from the registered owner or other appropriate person.  The 
instruction shall be in writing or a communication in such form as may be 
agreed upon in writing by the Corporation.

                                     ARTICLE VII

                                     FISCAL YEAR

    The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the
Board of Directors.


                                     ARTICLE VIII

                                    DISTRIBUTIONS

    The Board of Directors may authorize, and the Corporation may make,
distributions to its shareholders, subject to any restrictions in its
certificate of incorporation or provided by law.


                                      ARTICLE IX

                                         SEAL

    The corporate seal, if any, may be used by causing it or a facsimile
thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced, provided
that the affixing of the corporate seal to an instrument shall not give the
instrument additional force or effect, or change the construction thereof, and
the use of the corporate seal, if any, is not mandatory.


                                      ARTICLE X

                                   WAIVER OF NOTICE

    Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of these
by-laws or under the provisions of the certificate of incorporation or under the
provisions of the General Corporation Law, a waiver thereof in writing, signed
by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the
time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. 
Attendance at any meeting shall constitute waiver of notice thereof unless the
person at the meeting objects to the holding of the meeting because proper
notice was not given.


                                          13
<PAGE>

                                      ARTICLE XI

                                   INDEMNIFICATION

    Each person who at any time is or shall have been a director, officer, 
employee or agent of this Corporation, or is or shall have been serving at 
the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of 
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, 
shall be indemnified by this Corporation in accordance with and to the full 
extent permitted by the General Corporation Law.  The foregoing right of 
indemnification shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which a 
person seeking indemnification may be entitled under any by-law, agreement, 
vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.  If authorized 
by the Board of Directors, the Corporation may purchase and maintain 
insurance on behalf of any person to the full extent permitted by the General 
Corporation Law.

                                     ARTICLE XII

                                      AMENDMENTS

    Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, these
by-laws may be made, altered, amended or repealed by the shareholders or the
Board of Directors, but no by-law adopted by the shareholders may be altered,
amended or repealed by the Board of Directors.




                                          14

<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.03

                                    (Face of Note)

                                       Form of
    9 1/2% Series B Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007

No.1                                                             $
Cusip No. 

                            FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.

promises to pay to Cede & Co.

or registered assigns,

the principal sum of:

Dollars on June 15, 2007.

Interest Payment Dates:  June 15 and December 15

Record Dates:  June 1 and December 1

Dated:
                                                 FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.

                                                 By:
                                                    ---------------------------
                                                  Name:
                                                  Title:



    This is one of the Global
    Notes referred to in the
    within-mentioned Indenture:

    HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK,
    as Trustee

    By:
       ---------------------------
     Name:
     Title:

<PAGE>

                                    (Back of Note)

                  9 1/2% Series B Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007

         Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Notes in 
definitive form, this Note may not be transferred except as a whole by the 
Depository to a nominee of the Depository or by a nominee of the Depository 
to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository or by the Depository 
or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such successor 
Depository. Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized 
representative of The Depository Trust Company (55 Water Street, New York, 
New York) ("DTC"), to the issuer or its agent for registration of transfer, 
exchange or payment, and any certificate issued is registered in the name of 
Cede & Co. or such other name as may be requested by an authorized 
representative of DTC (and any payment is made to Cede & Co. or such other 
entity as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC), ANY 
TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY 
PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has 
an interest herein.

         Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them
in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

         1. INTEREST. Falcon Building Products, Inc., a Delaware corporation 
(the "Company"), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this 
Note at 9 1/2% per annum from June 17, 1997 until maturity and shall pay the 
Liquidated Damages payable pursuant to Section 5 of the Registration Rights 
Agreement referred to below. The Company will pay interest and Liquidated 
Damages semi-annually on June 15 and December 15 of each year, or if any such 
day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each an 
"INTEREST PAYMENT DATE"). Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most 
recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, 
from the date of issuance; PROVIDED that if there is no existing Default in 
the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record 
date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment 
Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; 
PROVIDED, FURTHER, that the first Interest Payment Date shall be December 15, 
1997. The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any 
proceeding under any Bankruptcy Code) on overdue principal and premium, if 
any, from time to time on demand at a rate that is 1% per annum in excess of 
the rate then in effect; it shall pay interest (including post-petition 
interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Code) on overdue installments 
of interest and Liquidated Damages (without regard to any applicable grace 
periods) from time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. 
Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day 
months.

         2. METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Company will pay interest on the Notes 
(except defaulted interest) and Liquidated Damages to the Persons who are 
registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on June 1 or December 1 
next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are cancelled 
after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as 
provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. 
The Notes will be payable as to principal, premium, interest and Liquidated 
Damages at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose 
within or without the City and State of New York, or, at


                                       2
<PAGE>

the option of the Company, payment of interest and Liquidated Damages may be 
made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the 
register of Holders, and provided that payment by wire transfer of 
immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of and 
interest, premium and Liquidated Damages on, all Global Notes and all other 
Notes the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to 
the Company or the Paying Agent. Such payment shall be in such coin or 
currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal 
tender for payment of public and private debts.

         3. PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, Harris Trust and Savings
Bank, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar.
The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any
Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

         4. INDENTURE. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as
of June 17, 1997 (the "INDENTURE") between the Company and the Trustee. The
terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of
the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15
U.S. Code Sections 77aaa-77bbbb). The Notes are subject to all such terms, and
Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such
terms. The Notes are unsecured general obligations of the Company limited to
$145.0 million in aggregate principal amount.

         5. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

              (a)  Except as described in paragraphs (b) and (c) below,
the Notes will not be redeemable at the Company's option prior to June 15, 2002.
Thereafter, the Notes will be subject to redemption at any time at the option of
the Company, in whole or in part, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days'
notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount)
set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages thereon,
if any, to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month
period beginning on June 15 of the years indicated below:

    Year                                                 Percentage

    2002 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     104.750%
    2003 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     103.167%
    2004 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     101.583
    2005 and thereafter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     100.000%

               (b)  In addition, at any time and from time to time, prior to 
June 15, 2000, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the original aggregate 
principal amount of Notes at a redemption price of 109.5% of the principal 
amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages 
thereon, if any, to the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of a 
public offering of common stock of the Company; PROVIDED that at least 65% of 
the original aggregate principal amount of Notes remain outstanding 
immediately after the occurrence of such


                                          3
<PAGE>

redemption; and PROVIDED, further, that such redemption shall occur within 60 
days of the date of the closing of such public offering.

               (c)  At any time on or prior to June 15, 2002, the Notes may 
be redeemed as a whole but not in part at the option of the Company upon the 
occurrence of a Change of Control, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 
days' prior notice (but in no event may any such redemption occur more than 
90 days after the occurrence of such Change of Control) mailed by first-class 
mail to each Holder's registered address, at a redemption price equal to 100% 
of the principal amount thereof plus the Applicable Premium as of, and 
accrued but unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to, the 
redemption date, subject to the right of Holders on the relevant record date 
to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.

          6. MANDATORY REDEMPTION.

          Except as set forth in paragraph 7 below, the Company shall not be
required to make mandatory redemption payments with respect to the Notes.

          7. REPURCHASE AT OPTION OF HOLDER.

               (a)  Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, unless all 
Notes have been called for redemption pursuant paragraph 5(c) above, each 
Holder of Notes will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all 
or any part (equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) of such 
Holder's Notes pursuant to the offer described below (the "CHANGE OF CONTROL 
OFFER") at an offer price in cash (the "CHANGE OF CONTROL PAYMENT") equal to 
101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid 
interest and Liquidated Damages thereon, if any, to the date of purchase.

               (b)  If the Company or any Subsidiary consummates one or more 
Asset Sales and does not use all of the Net Proceeds from such Asset Sales as 
provided in Section 4.10 of the Indenture, the Company will be required, 
under certain circumstances, to utilize the Excess Proceeds from such Asset 
Sales to offer (an "EXCESS PROCEEDS OFFER") to purchase Notes at a purchase 
price in cash equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes 
plus any accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the 
date of purchase. If the Excess Proceeds are insufficient to purchase all 
Notes tendered pursuant to any Excess Proceeds Offer, the Company shall 
select the Notes to be purchased in accordance with the terms of Article 3 
and Section 4.10 of the Indenture, as applicable.

               (c)  If the Company consummates a Subsidiary Distribution, the 
Company will be required, to offer (a "Subsidiary Distribution Offer") to 
purchase a portion of the Notes pursuant to Section 1.01 of the Indenture, at 
a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount, 
plus accrued Interest and Liquidated Damages thereon, if any. If the Company 
is not required to purchase all of the Notes tendered pursuant to a 
Subsidiary Distribution Offer, the Company shall select the Notes to be 
purchased in accordance with the terms of Article 3 of the Indenture.


                                          4
<PAGE>

          8. NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. Notice of redemption will be mailed at 
least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each 
Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address. Notes in 
denominations larger than $1,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole 
multiples of $1,000, unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be 
redeemed. On and after the redemption date interest ceases to accrue on Notes 
or portions thereof called for redemption.

          9. DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form
without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. The
transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in
the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other
things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the
Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or
permitted by the Indenture. The Company need not exchange or register the
transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for
the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, it need not
exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a
selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date
and the corresponding Interest Payment Date.

          10. PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be
treated as its owner for all purposes.

          11. AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. Subject to certain 
exceptions, the Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented with 
the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the 
then outstanding Notes, and any existing default or compliance with any 
provision of the Indenture or the Notes may be waived with the consent of the 
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes. 
Without the consent of any Holder of a Note, the Indenture or the Notes may 
be amended or supplemented to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, to 
provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated 
Notes, to provide for the assumption of the Company's obligations to Holders 
of the Notes in case of a merger or consolidation, to make any change that 
would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes 
or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any 
such Holder, or to comply with the requirements of the SEC in order to effect 
or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

          12. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. Events of Default include: (a) default 
for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on, or Liquidated Damages 
with respect to, the Notes (whether or not prohibited by Article 10 of the 
Indenture); (b) default in payment when due of the principal of or premium, 
if any, on the Notes (whether or not prohibited by Article 10 of the 
Indenture); (c) failure by the Company for 30 days after notice to comply 
with the provisions described under Sections 4.07, 4.09, 4.10, 4.15 or 5.01 
of the Indenture; (d) failure by the Company for 60 days after notice to 
comply with any of its other agreements in the Indenture or the Notes; (e) 
the failure by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant 
Subsidiary to pay any Indebtedness within any applicable grace period after 
final maturity or acceleration by the holders thereof because of a default if 
the total amount of such Indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds $20.0 
million; (f) the failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries 
that is a Significant Subsidiary to pay final non-appealable judgments 
aggregating in excess of $20.0


                                          5
<PAGE>

million, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 
60 days; (g) except as permitted by the Indenture, any Subsidiary Guarantee 
by a Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary shall be held in any judicial 
proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or shall cease for any reason to be 
in full force and effect or any Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of 
any Guarantor, shall deny or disaffirm its obligations under its Subsidiary 
Guarantee; and (h) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to 
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant 
Subsidiary. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Note 
Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then 
outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable 
immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of 
Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect 
to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant 
Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable without further 
action or notice. Holders of the Notes may not enforce this Indenture or the 
Notes except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, 
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may 
direct the applicable Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The 
Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing 
Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to 
the payment of principal or interest) if it determines that withholding 
notice is in their interest.

          13. TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH COMPANY. The Trustee, in its individual or
any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform
services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the
Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

          14. NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. A director, officer, employee,
incorporator or stockholder, of the Company, as such, shall not have any
liability for any obligations of the Company under the Notes or the Indenture or
for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or
their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such
liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance
of the Notes.

          15. AUTHENTICATION. This Note shall not be valid until authenticated
by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

          16. ABBREVIATIONS. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of
a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (=
tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship
and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts
to Minors Act).

          17. ADDITIONAL RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF TRANSFER RESTRICTED SECURITIES. In
addition to the rights provided to Holders of Notes under the Indenture, Holders
of Transferred Restricted Securities shall have all the rights set forth in the
Registration Rights Agreement dated as of June 17, 1997, between the Company and
the parties named on the signature pages thereof (the "REGISTRATION RIGHTS
AGREEMENT").

          18. CUSIP NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the 
Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has 
caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP 
numbers in notices of redemption as a 


                                          6
<PAGE>

convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such 
numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of 
redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification 
numbers placed thereon.

          The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and
without charge a copy of the Indenture and/or the Registration Rights Agreement.
Requests may be made to:

                    Falcon Building Products, Inc.
                    Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 1100
                    Chicago, Illinois 60606
                    Telecopier No.: (312) 906-8402
                    Attention: Gus Athas

                                       7

<PAGE>

                                ASSIGNMENT FORM

     To assign this Note, fill in the form below: (I) or (we) assign and 
transfer Note to

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (Insert assignee's soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            (Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint _______________________________________________________
to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute 
another to act for him.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Date:
     -------------------
                             Your Signature:
                                            -----------------------------------
                                             (Sign exactly as your name appears
                                              on the face of this Note)

Signature Guarantee.

                                       8

<PAGE>

                        OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

     If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant 
to Section 4.10 or Section 4.15 of the Indenture or pursuant to a Subsidiary 
Distribution Offer check the box below:

            / /  Section 4.10                    / / Section 4.15

            / /  Subsidiary Distribution Offer

     If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the 
Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.15 of the Indenture or pursuant 
to a Subsidiary Distribution Offer, state the amount you elect to have 
purchased: $__________

Date:
     -------------------
                             Your Signature:
                                            -----------------------------------
                                             (Sign exactly as your name appears
                                              on the face of this Note)

                             Tax Identification No.:
                                                    ---------------------------

Signature Guarantee.

                                       9

<PAGE>

                   SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF DEFINITIVE NOTE

The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for Definitive Notes 
have been made:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     Principal Amount of          Signature of
                    Amount of decrease in   Amount of increase in      this Global Note       authorized officer of
                     Principal Amount of     Principal Amount of    following such decrease      Trustee or Note
Date of Exchange     this Global Note        this Global Note           (or increase)               Custodian
- ----------------    ---------------------   ---------------------   -----------------------   ---------------------
<S>                 <C>                     <C>                     <C>                       <C>

</TABLE>


                                      10


<PAGE>

                                 (Face of Note)                    EXHIBIT 4.04
                                       Form of
             10 1/2% Series B Senior Subordinated Discount Notes Due 2007

    FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION 1272, 1273 AND 1275 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF
    1986, AS AMENDED, THIS SECURITY IS BEING ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE
    DISCOUNT; FOR EACH $1,000 PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THIS SECURITY, THE ISSUE
    PRICE IS $______, THE AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT IS $______, THE
    ISSUE DATE IS JUNE 17, 1997 AND THE YIELD TO MATURITY IS 10 1/2% PER ANNUM.

No. 1                                                            $
Cusip No. 

                            FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.

promises to pay to Cede & Co.

or registered assigns,

the principal sum of: 

Dollars on June 15, 2007

Interest Payment Dates:  June 15 and December 15

Record Dates:  June 1 and December 1

Dated:
                                       FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.


                                       By:
                                          ---------------------------
                                        Name:
                                        Title:


     This is one of the Global
     Notes referred to in the
     within-mentioned Indenture:

     HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK,
     as Trustee


     By:
        ----------------------------
      Name:
      Title:

<PAGE>

                                    (Back of Note)

             10 1/2% Series B Senior Subordinated Discount Notes Due 2007

    Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Notes in
definitive form, this Note may not be transferred except as a whole by the
Depository to a nominee of the Depository or by a nominee of the Depository to
the Depository or another nominee of the Depository or by the Depository or any
such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such successor
Depository.  Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized
representative of the Depository Trust Company (55 Water Street, New York, New
York) ("DTC"), to the issuer or its agent for registration of transfer exchange
or payment, and any certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co.
or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC
(and any payment is made to Cede & Co. or such other entity as may be requested
by an authorized representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE
HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the
registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.

    Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in
the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

    1.   INTEREST.  Falcon Building Products, Inc., a Delaware corporation 
(the "Company"), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this 
Note at 10 1/2% per annum from June 15, 2002 until maturity and shall pay the 
Liquidated Damages payable pursuant to Section 5 of the Registration Rights 
Agreement referred to below.  No interest will accrue on the Notes until June 
15, 2002 (the "Full Accretion Date").  Until the Full Accretion Date, no 
interest on the Notes will accrue, but the Accreted Value will accrete 
(representing the amortization of original issue discount) between the date 
of original issuance and such date, on a semi-annual bond equivalent basis 
using a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months such that the Accreted 
Value shall be equal to the full principal amount of the Notes on the Full 
Accretion date.  The initial Accreted Value per $1,000 principal amount of 
Notes will be $______.  Beginning on June 15, 2002, interest on the Notes 
will accrue at the rate of 10 1/2% per annum and will be payable in cash 
semi-annually, in arrears, on June 15 and December 15, commencing on December 
15, 2002 to Holders of record on the immediately preceding June 1 and 
December 15. Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to 
which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the 
Accretion Date.  Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year 
comprised of twelve 30-day months.  The Company shall pay interest (including 
post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Code) on 
overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at a rate 
that is 1% per annum in excess of the rate then in effect; it shall pay 
interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any 
Bankruptcy Code) on overdue installments of interest and Liquidated Damages 
(without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand 
at the same rate to the extent lawful.  Interest will be computed on the 
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

    2.   METHOD OF PAYMENT.  The Company will pay interest on the Notes 
(except defaulted interest) and Liquidated Damages to the Persons who are 
registered Holders of Notes at 


                                       2
<PAGE>

the close of business on the June 1 or December 1 next proceeding the 
Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are cancelled after such record 
date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in 
Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest.  The Notes 
will be payable as to principal, premium, interest and Liquidated Damages at 
the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose within or 
without the City and State of New York, or, at the option of the Company, 
payment of interest and Liquidated Damages may be made by check mailed to the 
Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders, and provided 
that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required 
with respect to principal of and interest, premium and Liquidated Damages on, 
all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which shall have provided 
wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent.  Such payment 
shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the 
time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

    3.   PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR.  Initially, Harris Trust and Savings 
Bank, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and 
Registrar.  The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without 
notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any 
such capacity.

    4.   INDENTURE.  The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as 
of June 17, 1997 (the "Indenture") between the Company and the Trustee.  The 
terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part 
of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended 
(15 U.S. Code Sections 77aaa-777bbbb).  The Notes are subject to all such 
terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement 
of such terms.  The Notes are unsecured general obligations of the Company 
limited to $169.317 million in aggregate principal amount.

    5.   OPTIONAL REDEMPTION

    (a)  Except as described in paragraphs (b) and (c) below, the Notes will 
not be redeemable at the Company's option prior to June 15, 2002. Thereafter, 
the Notes will be subject to redemption at any time at the option of the 
Company, in whole or in part, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' 
notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal 
amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated 
Damages thereon, if any, to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed 
during the twelve-month period beginning on June 15 of the years indicated 
below.

          Year                            Percentage

          2002 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105.250%
          2003. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103.500%
          2004. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101.750%
          2005 and thereafter . . . . . . .100.000%

     (b)  In addition, at any time and from time to time, prior to June 15, 
2000, the Company may, on any one or more occasions, redeem up to 35% of the 
aggregate principal amount at maturity of Notes at a redemption price of 
110.5% of the Accreted Value thereof 


                                       3
<PAGE>

(determined at the redemption date), plus accrued and unpaid Liquidated 
Damages thereon, if any, to the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds 
of a public offering of common stock of the Company; PROVIDED that at least 
65% of the aggregate principal amount at maturity of Notes remain outstanding 
immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption; and PROVIDED, 
further, that such redemption shall occur within 60 days of the date of the 
closing of such public offering.

     (c)  At any time on or prior to June 15, 2002, the Notes may be redeemed 
as whole but not in part at the option of the Company upon the occurrence of 
a Change of Control, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior 
notice (but in no event may any such redemption occur more than 90 days after 
the occurrence of such Change of Control) mailed by first-class mail to each 
Holder's registered address, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the 
Accreted Value thereof plus the Applicable Premium as of, and Liquidated 
Damages, if any, to, the redemption date.

     6.   MANDATORY REDEMPTION.

     Except as set forth in paragraph 7 below, the Company shall not be 
required to make mandatory redemption payments with respect to the Notes.

     7.   REPURCHASE AT OPTION OF HOLDER

     (a)  Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, unless all Notes have 
been called for redemption pursuant paragraph 5(c) above, each Holder of 
Notes will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any 
part (equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) of such Holder's Notes 
pursuant to the offer described below (the "CHANGE OF CONTROL OFFER") at an 
offer price in cash (the "CHANGE OF CONTROL PAYMENT") equal to 101% of the 
aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and 
Liquidated Damages thereon, if any, to the date of purchase (or, if such 
Change of Control Offer occurs prior to the Full Accretion Date, 101% of the 
Accreted Value thereof on the date of repurchase plus accrued and unpaid 
Liquidated Damages, if any).

     (b)  If the Company or any Subsidiary consummates one or more Asset 
Sales and does not use all of the Net Proceeds from such Asset Sales as 
provided in Section 4.10 of the Indenture, the Company will be required, 
under certain circumstances, to utilize the Excess Proceeds from such Asset 
Sales to offer (an "EXCESS PROCEEDS "OFFER") to purchase Notes at a purchase 
price in cash equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes 
plus any accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the 
date of purchase (or, if such Exceeds Proceeds Offer is prior to the Full 
Accretion Date, 100% of the Accreted Value thereof, plus accrued and unpaid 
interest and Liquidated Damages thereon, if any).  If the Excess Proceeds are 
insufficient to purchase all Notes tendered pursuant to any Excess Proceeds 
Offer, the Company shall select the Notes to be purchased in accordance with 
the terms of Article 3 and Section 4.10 of the Indenture, as applicable.

     (c)  If the Company consummates a Subsidiary Distribution, the Company 
will be required, to offer (a "Subsidiary Distribution Offer") to purchase a 
portion of the Notes pursuant


                                       4
<PAGE>


to Section 1.01 of the Indenture, at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% 
of the aggregate principal amount, plus accrued interest and Liquidated 
Damages thereon, if any (or, if such Subsidiary Distribution Offer is prior 
to the Full Accretion Date, 101% of the Accreted Value thereof, plus accrued 
and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages thereon, if any).  If the Company 
is not required to purchase all of the Notes tendered pursuant to a 
Subsidiary Distribution Offer, the Company shall select the Notes to be 
purchased in accordance with the terms of Article 3 of the Indenture.

     8.   NOTICE OF REDEMPTION.  Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 
30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder 
whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address.  Notes in 
denominations larger than $1,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole 
multiples of $1,000, unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be 
redeemed. On and after the redemption date interest ceases to accrue on Notes
or portions thereof called for redemption.

     9.   DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE.  The Notes are in registered 
form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of 
$1,000.  The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged 
as provided in the Indenture.  The Registrar and the Trustee may require a 
Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer 
documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees 
required by law or permitted by the Indenture.  The Company need not exchange 
or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for 
redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in 
part.  Also, it need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a 
period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the 
period between a record date and the corresponding Interest Payment Date.

     10.  PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS.  The registered Holder of a Note may be 
treated as its owner for all purposes.

     11.  AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER.  Subject to certain exceptions, 
the Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of 
the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the then 
outstanding Notes, and any existing default or compliance with any provision 
of the Indenture or the Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders 
of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.  Without the 
consent of any Holder of a Note, the Indenture or the Notes may be amended or 
supplemented to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, to provide for 
uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, to 
provide for the assumption of the Company's obligations to Holders of the 
Notes in case of a merger or consolidation, to make any change that would 
provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that 
does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any such 
Holder, or to comply with the requirements of the SEC in order to effect or 
maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

     12.  DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES.  Events of Default include:  (a) default for 
30 days in the payment when due of interest on, or Liquidated Damages with 
respect to, the Notes (whether or not prohibited by Article 10 of the 
Indenture); (b) default in payment when due of the principal of or premium, 
if any, on the Notes (whether or not prohibited by Article 10 of the 
Indenture); 


                                       5
<PAGE>

(c) failure by the Company for 30 days after notice to comply with the 
provisions described under Sections 4.07, 4.09, 4.10, 4.15 or 5.01 of the 
Indenture; (d) failure by the Company for 60 days after notice to comply with 
any of its other agreements in the Indenture or the Notes; (e) the failure by 
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary to 
pay any Indebtedness within any applicable grace period after final maturity 
or acceleration by the holders thereof because of a default if the total 
amount of such Indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds $20.0 million; (f) 
the failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a 
Significant Subsidiary to pay final non-appealable judgments aggregating in 
excess of $20.0 million, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed 
for a period of 60 days; (g) except as permitted by the Indenture, any 
Subsidiary Guarantee by a Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary shall be 
held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or shall cease 
for any reason to be in full force and effect or any Guarantor, or any Person 
acting on behalf of any Guarantor, shall deny or disaffirm its obligations 
under its Subsidiary Guarantee; and (h) certain events of bankruptcy or 
insolvency with respect to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries 
that is a Significant Subsidiary.  If any Event of Default occurs and is 
continuing, the Note Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal 
amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and 
payable immediately.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event 
of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with 
respect to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a 
Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable 
without futher action or notice.  Holders of the Notes may not enforce this 
Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture.  Subject to 
certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then 
outstanding Notes may direct the applicable Trustee in its exercise of any 
trust or power. The may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any 
continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default 
relating to the payment of principal or interest) if it determines that 
withholding notice is in their interest.

     13.  TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH COMPANY.  The Trustee, in its individual or any
other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services
for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or
its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

     14.  NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS.  A director, officer, employee,
incorporator or stockholder, of the Company, as such, shall not have any
liability for any obligations of the Company under the Notes or the Indenture or
for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or
their creation.  Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such
liability.  The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the
issuance of the Notes.

     15.  AUTHENTICATION.  This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by
the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

     16.  ABBREVIATIONS.  Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a
Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT
(= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of 
survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A
(= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).


                                       6
<PAGE>

     17.  ADDITIONAL RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF TRANSFER RESTRICTED SECURITIES.  In
addition to the rights provided to Holders of Notes under the Indenture, Holders
of Transferred Restricted Securities shall have all the rights set forth in the
Registration Rights Agreement dated as of June 17, 1997, between the Company and
the parties named on the signature pages thereof (the "REGISTRATION RIGHTS
AGREEMENT").

     18.  CUSIP NUMBERS.  Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the
Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused
CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers
in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders.  No representation is made
as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as
contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the
other identification numbers placed thereon.

     The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without
charge a copy of the Indenture and/or the Registration Rights Agreement.
Requests may be made to:

                    Falcon Building Products, Inc.
                    Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 1100
                    Chicago, Illinois 60606
                    Telecopier No.:  (312) 906-8402
                    Attention:    Gus Athas

                                       7

<PAGE>



                                ASSIGNMENT FORM

     To assign this Note, fill in the form below: (I) or (we) assign and 
transfer Note to

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (Insert assignee's soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            (Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint _______________________________________________________
to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute 
another to act for him.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Date:
     -------------------
                             Your Signature:
                                            -----------------------------------
                                             (Sign exactly as your name appears
                                              on the face of this Note)

Signature Guarantee.


                                       8
<PAGE>

                        OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

     If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant 
to Section 4.10 or Section 4.15 of the Indenture or pursuant to a Subsidiary 
Distribution Offer check the box below:

            / /  Section 4.10                    / / Section 4.15

            / /  Subsidiary Distribution Offer

     If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the 
Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.15 of the Indenture or pursuant 
to a Subsidiary Distribution Offer, state the amount you elect to have 
purchased: $__________

Date:
     -------------------
                             Your Signature:
                                            -----------------------------------
                                             (Sign exactly as your name appears
                                              on the face of this Note)

                             Tax Identification No.:
                                                    ---------------------------

Signature Guarantee.

                                       9

<PAGE>

                   SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF DEFINITIVE NOTE

The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for Definitive Notes 
have been made:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     Principal Amount of          Signature of
                    Amount of decrease in   Amount of increase in      this Global Note       authorized officer of
                     Principal Amount of     Principal Amount of    following such decrease      Trustee or Note
Date of Exchange     this Global Note        this Global Note           (or increase)               Custodian
- ----------------    ---------------------   ---------------------   -----------------------   ---------------------
<S>                 <C>                     <C>                     <C>                       <C>

</TABLE>


                                      10


<PAGE>




                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.05

                                       FORM OF

                                      GUARANTEE


              Each of Hart & Cooley, Inc., Mansfield Plumbing Products, Inc., 
DeVilbiss Air Power Company, SWC Industries, Inc. and Ex-Cell Manufacturing 
Company, Inc. (each, a "GUARANTOR") hereby, jointly and severally, 
unconditionally guarantees to each Holder of a 9 1/2% Senior Subordinated 
Note Due 2007 (a "NOTE") of Falcon Building Products, Inc., a Delaware 
corporation (the "COMPANY") authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to 
the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and 
enforceability of the Indenture, the Notes and the Obligations of the Company 
hereunder and thereunder, that: (a) the principal of, premium, if any, 
interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Notes will be promptly paid 
in full when due, subject to any applicable grace period, whether at 
maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the 
overdue principal, premium, if any (to the extent permitted by law), interest 
on any interest, if any, and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Notes, and 
all other payment Obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee 
hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid in full and performed, all in 
accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (b) in case of any 
extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other 
Obligations, the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in 
accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, subject to any 
applicable grace period, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration, 
redemption or otherwise.  Failing payment when so due of any amount so 
guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason the 
Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same 
immediately.

              The obligations of each Guarantor to the Holders of Notes and to
the Trustee pursuant to this Subsidiary Guarantee and the Indenture are
expressly set forth in Article 11 of the Indenture and reference is hereby made
to such Indenture for the precise terms of this Subsidiary Guarantee.  THE TERMS
OF ARTICLE 11 OF THE INDENTURE ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE.  In the
case of any discrepancy between this writing and Article 11 of the Indenture,
Article 11 of the Indenture shall control.

              This is a continuing Subsidiary Guarantee and shall remain in
full force and effect and shall be binding upon each Guarantor and its
successors and assigns until full, final and indefeasible payment of all of the
Company's obligations under the Notes and the Indenture (subject to Section
11.04 of the Indenture) and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and
assigns of the Trustee and the Holders of Notes and, in the event of any
transfer or assignment of rights by any Holder of Notes or the Trustee, the
rights and privileges herein conferred upon the party shall automatically extend
to and be vested in such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and
conditions hereof.  This is a Subsidiary Guarantee of payment and not a
guarantee of collection.

              For purposes hereof, each Guarantor's liability shall be limited
to the lesser of (i) the aggregate amount of the Obligations of the Company
under the Notes and the Indenture and (ii) the amount, if any, which would not
have (A) rendered such Guarantor "insolvent" (as such term is defined in the
United States Bankruptcy Code and in the Debtor and Creditor Law of the State of
New York) or (B) left such Guarantor with unreasonably small capital at the time
its Subsidiary Guarantee of the Notes was entered into; PROVIDED that it will be
a presumption in any lawsuit or other proceeding in which a Guarantor is a party
that the amount guaranteed pursuant to the Subsidiary Guarantee is the amount
set forth in clause (i) above unless any creditor, or 


                                       1
<PAGE>

representative of creditors of such Guarantor, or debtor in possession or 
trustee in bankruptcy of the Guarantor, otherwise proves in such a lawsuit 
that the aggregate liability of the Guarantor is the amount set forth in 
clause (ii) above.  The Indenture provides that, in making any determination 
as to solvency or sufficiency of capital of a Guarantor in accordance with 
the previous sentence, the right of such Guarantor to contribution from other 
Guarantors, and any other rights such Guarantor may have, contractual or 
otherwise, shall be taken into account.

              This Subsidiary Guarantee shall not be valid or obligatory for
any purpose until the certificate of authentication on the Note upon which this
Guarantee is noted shall have been executed by the Trustee under the Indenture
by the manual signature of one of its authorized officers.

              Capitalized terms used herein have the same meanings given in the
Indenture unless otherwise indicated.


                                       2
<PAGE>

                                  SIGNATURES



Dated as of                            HART & COOLEY, INC.


                                       By:
                                          ------------------------------------
                                            Name:
                                            Title:


Dated as of                            MANSFIELD PLUMBING PRODUCTS, INC.


                                       By:
                                          ------------------------------------
                                            Name:
                                            Title:


Dated as of                            DEVILBISS AIR POWER COMPANY


                                       By:
                                          ------------------------------------
                                            Name:
                                            Title:


Dated as of                            SWC INDUSTRIES, INC.


                                       By:
                                          ------------------------------------
                                            Name:
                                            Title:


Dated as of                            EX-CELL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.


                                       By:
                                           -----------------------------------
                                            Name:
                                            Title:


                                       3

<PAGE>


                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.06
                                       FORM OF
                                      GUARANTEE


    Each of Hart & Cooley, Inc., Mansfield Plumbing Products, Inc., DeVilbiss
Air Power Company, SWC Industries, Inc. and Ex-Cell Manufacturing Company, 
Inc. (each, a "GUARANTOR") hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally 
guarantees to each Holder of a 10 1/2% Senior Subordinated Discount Note Due 
2007 (a "NOTE") of Falcon Building Products, Inc., a Delaware corporation 
(the "COMPANY") authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee 
and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and 
enforceability of the Indenture, the Notes and the Obligations of the Company 
hereunder and thereunder, that: (a) the principal of, premium, if any, 
interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Notes will be promptly paid 
in full when due, subject to any applicable grace period, whether at 
maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the 
overdue principal, premium, if any (to the extent permitted by law), interest 
on any interest, if any, and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Notes, and 
all other payment Obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee 
hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid in full and performed, all in 
accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (b) in case of any 
extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other 
Obligations, the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in 
accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, subject to any 
applicable grace period, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration, 
redemption or otherwise.  Failing payment when so due of any amount so 
guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason the 
Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same 
immediately.

    The obligations of each Guarantor to the Holders of Notes and to the
Trustee pursuant to this Subsidiary Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly
set forth in Article 11 of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to such
Indenture for the precise terms of this Subsidiary Guarantee.  THE TERMS OF
ARTICLE 11 OF THE INDENTURE ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE.  In the case
of any discrepancy between this writing and Article 11 of the Indenture, Article
11 of the Indenture shall control.

    This is a continuing Subsidiary Guarantee and shall remain in full force
and effect and shall be binding upon each Guarantor and its successors and
assigns until full, final and indefeasible payment of all of the Company's
obligations under the Notes and the Indenture (subject to Section 11.04 of the
Indenture) and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the
Trustee and the Holders of Notes and, in the event of any transfer or assignment
of rights by any Holder of Notes or the Trustee, the rights and privileges
herein conferred upon the party shall automatically extend to and be vested in
such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions hereof. 
This is a Subsidiary Guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

    For purposes hereof, each Guarantor's liability shall be limited to the
lesser of (i) the aggregate amount of the Obligations of the Company under the
Notes and the Indenture and (ii) the amount, if any, which would not have (A)
rendered such Guarantor "insolvent" (as such term is defined in the United
States Bankruptcy Code and in the Debtor and Creditor Law of the State of New
York) or (B) left such Guarantor with unreasonably small capital at the time its
Subsidiary Guarantee of the Notes was entered into; PROVIDED that it will be a
presumption in any lawsuit or other proceeding in which a Guarantor is a party
that the amount guaranteed pursuant to the Subsidiary Guarantee is the amount
set forth in clause (i) above unless any creditor, or 


<PAGE>

representative of creditors of such Guarantor, or debtor in possession or 
trustee in bankruptcy of the Guarantor, otherwise proves in such a lawsuit 
that the aggregate liability of the Guarantor is the amount set forth in 
clause (ii) above.  The Indenture provides that, in making any determination 
as to solvency or sufficiency of capital of a Guarantor in accordance with 
the previous sentence, the right of such Guarantor to contribution from other 
Guarantors, and any other rights such Guarantor may have, contractual or 
otherwise, shall be taken into account.

    This Subsidiary Guarantee shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose
until the certificate of authentication on the Note upon which this Guarantee is
noted shall have been executed by the Trustee under the Indenture by the manual
signature of one of its authorized officers.

    Capitalized terms used herein have the same meanings given in the Indenture
unless otherwise indicated.


                                       2
<PAGE>

                                      SIGNATURES


Dated as of                  HART & COOLEY, INC.


                             By:
                                  --------------------------------
                                  Name:
                                  Title:


Dated as of                  MANSFIELD PLUMBING PRODUCTS, INC.


                             By:
                                  --------------------------------
                                  Name:
                                  Title:


Dated as of                  DEVILBISS AIR POWER COMPANY


                             By:
                                  --------------------------------
                                  Name:
                                  Title:


Dated as of                  SWC INDUSTRIES, INC.


                             By:
                                  --------------------------------
                                  Name:
                                  Title:


Dated as of                  EX-CELL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.


                             By:
                                  --------------------------------
                                  Name:
                                  Title:


                                          3


<PAGE>


                [LETTERHEAD OF GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER LLP]

                                                                   EXHIBIT 5.01
                             August 27, 1997




(212) 351-4000                                                   C 30620-00004
Falcon Building Products, Inc.
Hart & Cooley, Inc.
Mansfield Plumbing Products, Inc.
DeVilbiss Air Power Company
SWC Industries, Inc.
Ex-Cell Manufacturing Company, Inc.
Two North Riverside Plaza
Chicago, Illinois  60606

     Re:  EXCHANGE OF 9 1/2% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007 
          AND 10 1/2% SENIOR SUBORDINATED DISCOUNT NOTES DUE 2007

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have acted as counsel for Falcon Building Products, Inc., a Delaware 
corporation (the "Company"), and its wholly-owned subsidiaries Hart & Cooley, 
Inc., a Delaware corporation, Mansfield Plumbing Products, Inc., a Delaware 
corporation, DeVilbiss Air Power Company, a Delaware corporation, SWC 
Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and Ex-Cell Manufacturing Company, 
Inc., an Arkansas corporation (collectively, the "Guarantors"), in connection 
with the proposed offer by the Company (the "Exchange Offer") to exchange up 
to $145,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its outstanding 9 1/2% Series A 
Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007 (the "Old Notes") for a like principal 
amount of its 9 1/2% Series B Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007 (the 
"Notes") and to exchange up to $169,317,000 aggregate principal amount at 
maturity of its outstanding 10 1/2% Series A Senior Subordinated Discount 
Notes Due 2007 (the "Old Discount Notes") for a like principal amount of its 
10 1/2% Series B Senior Subordinated Discount Notes Due 2007 (the "Discount 
Notes" and, with the Notes, collectively referred to herein as the 
"Securities").  The Old Notes were issued and the Notes will be issued 
pursuant to an indenture by and among the Company, the Guarantors and Harris 
Trust and Savings Bank (the "Trustee") dated June 17, 1997 (the "Note 
Indenture").  The Old Discount Notes were issued and 

<PAGE>

Falcon Building Products, Inc.
August 27, 1997
Page 2


the Discount Notes will be issued pursuant to an indenture by and among 
Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee dated June 17, 1997 (the "Discount 
Note Indenture" and, with the Note Indenture, collectively referred to herein 
as the "Indentures").  The Notes will be jointly and severally guaranteed on 
a senior subordinated basis (the "Note Guarantees") by the Guarantors, 
according to the terms of the Note Indenture.  The Discount Notes will be 
jointly and severally guaranteed on a senior subordinated basis (the 
"Discount Note Guarantees" and, with the Note Guarantees, collectively 
referred to herein as the "Guarantees") by the Guarantors, according to the 
terms of the Discount Note Indenture.  

     As such counsel, we have examined, among other things, (i) the Registration
Statement on Form S-4 to be filed by the Registrants with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on the date hereof to register under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the issuance of the Securities and the
Guarantees, (ii) the Indentures, (iii) the forms of the Securities and 
(iv) the forms of the Guarantees.  The Securities, the Indentures and the 
Guarantees are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the "Securities
Documents."  We have examined the proceedings and other actions taken by the 
Company and the Guarantors in connection with the authorization, execution and
delivery of the Indentures and the issuance of the Securities and the Guarantees
thereunder.  We also have made such other inquiries and examined, among other 
things, originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our 
satisfaction, of such records, agreements, certificates, instruments and other
documents as we have considered necessary or appropriate for the purposes of 
this opinion.

     In rendering this opinion, we have assumed:

          (i)   The Guarantees have been duly authorized by all necessary 
corporate action on the part of Ex-Cell Manufacturing Company, Inc. 
("Ex-Cell") and, when issued and delivered in connection with the Exchange 
Offer in the manner described in the Registration Statement, will be legally 
issued and delivered by Ex-Cell, to the extent such matters are governed by 
the laws of the State of Arkansas;

          (ii)  The due and valid execution and delivery of the Indentures by 
the Trustee, and that the Indentures constitute the legal and binding 
agreements of the Trustee; and

          (iii) The genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all 
natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as 
originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted 
to us as certified or photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals
of such latter documents.

     Based upon the foregoing and in reliance thereon, subject to the
qualifications, exceptions, assumptions and limitations herein contained, and
subject to receipt by the Company and the 

<PAGE>

Falcon Building Products, Inc.
August 27, 1997
Page 3


Guarantors from the Commission of an order declaring the Registration 
Statement effective, we are of the opinion that:

          1. The Notes, when issued and delivered in exchange for the Old 
Notes in the manner described in the Registration Statement and when executed 
and authenticated as specified in the Note Indenture, will be legally issued 
and will constitute binding obligations of the Company.

          2. The Discount Notes, when issued and delivered in exchange for 
the Old Discount Notes in the manner described in the Registration Statement 
and when executed and authenticated as specified in the Discount Note 
Indenture, will be legally issued and will constitute binding obligations of 
the Company.

          3. The Note Guarantees of each of the Guarantors, when issued and 
delivered in connection with the exchange of the Old Notes in the manner 
described in the Registration Statement and when the Notes and the Note 
Guarantees have been executed and, in the case of the Notes, authenticated, 
as specified in the Note Indenture will be legally issued by each Guarantor 
and will constitute binding obligations of each Guarantor.

          4. The Discount Note Guarantees of each of the Guarantors, when 
issued and delivered in connection with the exchange of the Old Discount 
Notes in the manner described in the Registration Statement and when the 
Discount Notes and the Discount Note Guarantees have been executed and, in 
the case of the Discount Notes, authenticated, as specified in the Discount 
Note Indenture will be legally issued by each Guarantor and will constitute 
binding obligations of each Guarantor.

     The foregoing opinions are also subject to the following additional
qualifications, exceptions, assumptions and limitations:

          A.   We render no opinion herein as to matters involving the laws 
of any jurisdiction other than the United States of America, the State of New 
York and, only with respect to (i) the due authorization, execution and 
delivery of the Securities by the Company and (ii) the due authorization, 
execution and delivery of the Guarantees by each of the Guarantors other than 
Ex-Cell, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.  This opinion 
is limited to the effect of the present state of the laws of the State of New 
York, the United States of America and, to the limited extent set forth in 
this paragraph, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, and to 
the facts as they presently exist.  We assume no obligation to revise or 
supplement this opinion in the event of changes in such laws or the 
interpretations thereof or in the event of changes in such facts.
 

<PAGE>

Falcon Building Products, Inc.
August 27, 1997
Page 4



          B.   Our opinions set forth herein are subject to (i) the effect of 
any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, arrangement or 
similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally 
(including, without limitation, the effect of statutory or other laws 
regarding fraudulent conveyances and transfers or preferential transfers and 
distributions by corporations to their stockholders) and (ii) general 
principles of equity, regardless of whether a matter is considered in a 
proceeding in equity or at law, including, without limitation, concepts of 
materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing.  Without 
limitation, we express no opinion as to the ability to obtain specific 
performance, injunctive relief or other equitable relief as a remedy for 
noncompliance with any of the Securities Documents.

          C.   We express no opinion as to the effect on the enforceability 
of the Guarantees against any Guarantor of any facts or circumstances that 
would constitute a defense to the obligation of a guarantor or surety, unless 
such defense has been waived effectively by such Guarantor.

          D.   We express no opinion as to the validity, binding nature or 
enforceability of provisions in the Securities Documents providing for 
indemnification or contribution.

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the 
Registration Statement, and we further consent to the use of our name under 
the caption "Legal Matters" in the Prospectus forming a part of said 
Registration Statement.  In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are 
within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of 
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Rules and Regulations of the 
Commission promulgated thereunder.

                              Very truly yours,

                              /s/ GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER LLP


<PAGE>

                   [LETTERHEAD OF FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.]


                                                                  EXHIBIT 5.02


                              August 25, 1997


Falcon Building Products, Inc.
Hart & Cooley, Inc.
Mansfield Plumbing Products, Inc.
DeVilbiss Air Power Company
SWC Industries, Inc.
Ex-Cell Manufacturing Company, Inc.
Two North Riverside Plaza
Chicago, Illinois  60606

     Re:  EXCHANGE OF 9 1/2% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007 
          AND 10 1/2% SENIOR SUBORDINATED DISCOUNT NOTES DUE 2007

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     I am General Counsel for (i) Falcon Building Products, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and (ii) its wholly-owned subsidiaries Hart &
Cooley, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Mansfield Plumbing Products, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, DeVilbiss Air Power Company, a Delaware corporation, SWC
Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and Ex-Cell Manufacturing Company,
Inc., an Arkansas corporation ("Ex-Cell" and, collectively with the Company's
other aforementioned wholly-owned subsidiaries, the "Guarantors"), and have
represented the Company and the Guarantors in connection with the proposed offer
by the Company (the "Exchange Offer") to exchange up to $145,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of its outstanding 9 1/2% Series A Senior Subordinated Notes
Due 2007 (the "Old Notes") for a like principal amount of its 9 1/2% Series B
Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007 (the "Notes") and to exchange up to
$169,317,000 aggregate principal amount at maturity of its outstanding 10 1/2%
Series A Senior Subordinated Discount Notes Due 2007 (the "Old Discount Notes")
for a like principal amount of its 10 1/2% Series B Senior Subordinated Discount
Notes Due 2007 (the "Discount Notes" and, with the Notes, collectively referred
to herein as the "Securities").  The Old Notes were issued and the Notes will be
issued pursuant to an indenture by and among the Company, the Guarantors and
Harris Trust and Savings Bank (the "Trustee") dated as of June 17, 1997 (the
"Note Indenture").  The Old Discount Notes were issued and the Discount Notes
will be issued pursuant to an indenture by and among the Company, the Guarantors
and the Trustee dated as of June 17, 1997 (the "Discount Note Indenture" and,
with the Note Indenture, collectively referred to herein as the "Indentures"). 
The Notes will be jointly and severally guaranteed on a senior subordinated
basis (the "Note Guarantees") by each of the Guarantors according to the terms
of the Note Indenture.  The Discount Notes will be jointly and severally 
guaranteed on a senior subordinated basis (the "Discount Note Guarantees" and,
with the Note Guarantees, collectively referred to herein as the "Guarantees")
by each of the Guarantors according to the terms of the Discount Note Indenture.

     As such counsel, I have examined, among other things, (i) the 
Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be filed by the Registrants with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission (the 

<PAGE>

Falcon Building Products, Inc.
August 25, 1997
Page 2


"Commission") on the date hereof to register under the Securities Act of 
1933, as amended, the issuance of the Securities and the Guarantees, (ii) the 
Indentures, (iii) the forms of the Securities and (iv) the forms of the 
Guarantees.  The Securities, the Indentures and the Guarantees are sometimes 
collectively referred to herein as the "Securities Documents." I also have 
examined the proceedings and other actions taken by the Company and the 
Guarantors in connection with the authorization, execution and delivery of 
the Securities Documents and the issuance of the Securities and the 
Guarantees.  I have made such other inquiries and examined, among other 
things, originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to my 
satisfaction, of such records, agreements, certificates, instruments and 
other documents as I have considered necessary or appropriate for the 
purposes of this opinion.

     In rendering this opinion, I have assumed the genuineness of all 
signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons, the authenticity of 
all documents submitted to me as originals, the conformity to original 
documents of all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies 
and the authenticity of the originals of such latter documents.

      Based upon the foregoing and in reliance thereon, and subject to the 
qualifications, exceptions, assumptions and limitations herein contained, I 
am of the opinion that:

          1.   The Note Guarantees have been duly authorized by all necessary 
corporate action on the part of Ex-Cell and, when issued and delivered in 
connection with the exchange of the Old Notes in the manner described in the 
Registration Statement and when the Notes and the Note Guarantees have been 
executed, delivered and, in the case of the Notes, authenticated, as 
specified in the Note Indenture, will be legally issued and delivered by 
Ex-Cell, to the extent that such matters are governed by the laws of the 
State of Arkansas.

          2.   The Discount Note Guarantees have been duly authorized by all 
necessary corporate action on the part of Ex-Cell and, when issued and 
delivered in connection with the exchange of the Old Discount Notes in the 
manner described in the Registration Statement and when the Discount Notes 
and the Discount Note Guarantees have been executed, delivered and, in the 
case of the Discount Notes, authenticated, as specified in the Discount Note 
Indenture, will be legally issued and delivered by Ex-Cell, to the extent 
that such matters are governed by the laws of the State of Arkansas.

     I render no opinion herein as to matters involving the laws of any 
jurisdiction other than the State of Arkansas and the United States of 
America. This opinion is limited to the effect of the present state of the 
laws of the State of Arkansas and the United States of America and the facts 
as they presently exist.  I assume no obligation to revise or supplement this 
opinion in the event of changes in such laws or the interpretations thereof 
or in the event of changes in such facts.

<PAGE>

Falcon Building Products, Inc.
August 25, 1997
Page 3


     I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the 
Registration Statement, and I further consent to the use of my name under the 
caption "Legal Matters" in the Prospectus forming a part of said Registration 
Statement.  In giving this consent, I do not admit that I am within the 
category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the 
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Rules and Regulations of the 
Commission promulgated thereunder. 

                                  Very truly yours,

                                  /s/ Gus J. Athas

                                  Gus J. Athas
                                  General Counsel
                                  Falcon Building Products, Inc.


<PAGE>

                                                                 EXHIBIT 8.01

                    [LETTERHEAD OF GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER LLP]

                               August 27, 1997
                                       



(212) 351-4000                                                C 30620-00004

Falcon Building Products, Inc.
Hart & Cooley, Inc.
Mansfield Plumbing Products, Inc.
DeVilbiss Air Power Company
SWC Industries, Inc.
Ex-Cell Manufacturing Company, Inc.
Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 1100
Chicago, Illinois 60606


      Re:  FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     At your request, we have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-4 
(the "Registration Statement") of Falcon Building Products, Inc., a Delaware 
corporation (the "Company") to be filed in connection with the registration 
under the Securities Act of 1933. as amended (the "Securities Act"), of the 
proposed issuance of up to $145,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 
outstanding 9 1/2% Series A Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007, for a like 
principal amount of its 9 1/2% Series B Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007 
and up to $169,317,000 aggregate principal amount at maturity of its 
outstanding 10 1/2% Series A Senior Subordinated Discount Notes Due 2007, for 
a like principal amount of its 10 1/2% Series B Senior Subordinated Discount 
Notes Due 2007.

     We hereby confirm our opinions set forth in the Registration Statement 
under the caption "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences." Furthermore, it 
is our opinion that the discussion under the caption "Certain Federal Income 
Tax Consequences," to the extent it discusses matters of law or legal 
conclusions, is correct in all material respects.

<PAGE>
Falcon Building Products, Inc.
August 27, 1997
Page 2

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the 
Registration Statement, and we further consent to the use of our name under 
the caption "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences." In giving this 
consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons 
whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules 
and regulations promulgated thereunder.

                                       Very truly yours,

                                       /s/ GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER LLP

                                       GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER LLP



<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               Exhibit 12.01
                                       FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.    
                                     RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES     
                                        (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT RATIOS) 
                                                 (UNAUDITED)   
                                                      
                                                                                            SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                  JUNE 30,
                                          -----------------------------------------------   ------------------
                                            1992      1993      1994      1995      1996      1996       1997
                                          -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   --------
<S>                                       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>
Income (loss) from continuing 
  operations before income taxes........  $  32.4   $  37.2   $  43.4   $  35.8   $  48.8   $  22.0  $  (10.1)
Add back:                                        
     Interest expense...................     10.0       8.0       8.2       9.8      10.6       5.4       6.6 
     Amortization of debt expense.......        -         -       0.2       0.5       0.6       0.3       0.4 
     Interest element in rentals........      0.1       0.1       0.1       0.2       0.4       0.2       0.2 
                                          -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   --------
Earnings (loss).........................  $  42.5   $  45.3   $  51.9   $  46.3   $  60.4   $  27.9   $  (3.0)
                                          =======   =======   =======   =======   =======   =======   =========

Fixed charges:                                   
     Interest expense...................  $  10.0    $  8.0    $  8.2    $  9.8   $  10.6    $  5.4   $   6.6 
     Amortization of debt expense.......        -         -       0.2       0.5       0.6       0.3       0.4 
     Interest element in rentals........      0.1       0.1       0.1       0.2       0.4       0.2       0.2 
                                          -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   --------
Total fixed charges.....................  $  10.1    $  8.1    $  8.5   $  10.5   $  11.6    $  5.9   $   7.1 
                                          =======   =======   =======   =======   =======   =======   =========

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges......      4.2x      5.6x      6.1x      4.4x      5.2x      4.7x        -
                                          =======   =======   =======   =======   =======   =======   =========
                                                           
Deficiency of Earnings to 
  Cover Fixed Charges...................        -         -         -         -         -         -   $  10.1 
                                          =======   =======   =======   =======   =======   =======   =========


                                                                        PRO FORMA 
                                         ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         YEAR ENDED                  SIX MONTHS ENDED            12 MONTHS ENDED
                                         DECEMBER 31,                   JUNE 30,                      JUNE 30,
                                            1996                          1997                          1997
                                          --------                      --------                      --------
Income (loss) from continuing                
  operations before income taxes........  $  14.4                      $  (26.3)                     $  (16.7)
Add back:                                        
     Interest expense...................     41.3                          20.7                          41.0
     Amortization of debt expense.......      2.8                           1.4                           2.8
     Interest element in rentals........      0.4                           0.2                           0.4
                                          --------                      --------                      --------
Earnings (loss).........................  $  58.9                       $  (4.0)                      $  27.5
                                          ========                      ========                      =======
Fixed charges:                                   
     Interest expense...................  $  41.3                       $  20.7                       $  41.0
     Amortization of debt expense.......      2.8                           1.4                           2.8
     Interest element in rentals........      0.4                           0.2                           0.4
                                          --------                      --------                      --------
Total fixed charges.....................  $  44.5                       $  22.3                       $  44.2
                                          ========                      ========                      =======

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges......      1.3x                            -                             -
                                          ========                      ========                      =======

Deficiency of Earnings to 
   Cover Fixed Charges..................        -                       $  26.3                       $  16.7
                                          ========                      ========                      =======
                                                                                                                  
</TABLE>

<PAGE>


                                                                 EXHIBIT 23.01

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our report 
dated February 5, 1997 (except with respect to the matter discussed in Note 
15, as to which the date is June 17, 1997) and to all references to our Firm 
included in or made a part of this Form S-4 registration statement.


/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP

ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


Chicago, Illinois
August 28, 1997



<PAGE>


                                                                EXHIBIT 25.01

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549

                                  FORM T-1

                          Statement of Eligibility 
                   Under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939
                   of a Corporation Designated to Act as
                                   Trustee

                    Check if an Application to Determine
                Eligibility of a Trustee Pursuant to Section
                             305(b)(2) ____________

                         HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK
                               (Name of Trustee)

            Illinois                                 36-1194448
                                                    (I.R.S. Employer
     (State of Incorporation)                      Identification No.)

                111 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603
                    (Address of principal executive offices)


               Daniel G. Donovan, Harris Trust and Savings Bank,
                111 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60603
                                 312-461-2908
         (Name, address and telephone number for agent for service)

                        FALCON BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.
                               (Name of Obligor)

            Delaware                                  36-3931893
                                                    (I.R.S. Employer
     (State of Incorporation)                      Identification No.)

                           Two North Riverside Plaza
                                   Suite 1100
                            Chicago, Illinois 60606
                   (Address of principal executive offices)

              9 1/2% Series B Senior Subordinated Notes, Due 2007
         10 1/2% Series B Senior Subordinated Discount Notes, Due 2007

                         (Title of indenture securities)


<PAGE>

 1.  GENERAL INFORMATION. Furnish the following information as to the Trustee:

     (a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which 
     it is subject.

            Commissioner of Banks and Trust Companies, State of Illinois, 
            Springfield, Illinois; Chicago Clearing House Association, 164 
            West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois; Federal Deposit 
            Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.; The Board of Governors 
            of the Federal Reserve System, Washington, D.C.

     (b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

             Harris Trust and Savings Bank is authorized to exercise corporate 
             trust powers.

 2.  AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR. If the Obligor is an affiliate of the 
     Trustee, describe each such affiliation.

             The Obligor is not an affiliate of the Trustee.

 3. thru 15.

             NO RESPONSE NECESSARY

16.  LIST OF EXHIBITS.

     1.  A copy of the articles of association of the Trustee as now in effect 
         which includes the authority of the trustee to commence business and 
         to exercise corporate trust powers.

         A copy of the Certificate of Merger dated April 1, 1972 between Harris
         Trust and Savings Bank, HTS Bank and Harris Bankcorp, Inc. which 
         constitutes the articles of association of the Trustee as now in effect
         and includes the authority of the Trustee to commence business and to 
         exercise corporate trust powers was filed in connection with the 
         Registration Statement of Louisville Gas and Electric Company, File No.
         2-44295, and is incorporated herein by reference.

     2.  A copy of the existing by-laws of the Trustee.

         A copy of the existing by-laws of the Trustee was filed in connection
         with the Registration Statement of Commercial Federal Corporation, 
         File No. 333-20711, and is incorporated herein by reference.

     3.  The consents of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.

            (included as Exhibit A on page 2 of this statement)

     4.  A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee published 
         pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining 
         authority.

            (included as Exhibit B on page 3 of this statement)

<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the Trustee, 
HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK, a corporation organized and existing under the 
laws of the State of Illinois, has duly caused this statement of eligibility 
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all 
in the City of Chicago, and State of Illinois, on the 10th day of July, 1997.

HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK


By: /s/ D.G. Donovan
   --------------------------
     D.G. Donovan
     Assistant Vice President


EXHIBIT A

The consents of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.

Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as the Trustee herein named, hereby consents 
that reports of examinations of said trustee by Federal and State authorities 
may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange 
Commission upon request therefor.

HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK

By: /s/ D.G. Donovan
   --------------------------
     D.G. Donovan
     Assistant Vice President

                                       2

<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT B
Attached is a true and correct copy of the statement of condition of Harris 
Trust and Savings Bank as of March 31, 1997, as published in accordance with 
a call made by the State Banking Authority and by the Federal Reserve Bank of 
the Seventh Reserve District.

                                   [LOGO]

                        Harris Trust and Savings Bank
                            111 West Monroe Street
                           Chicago, Illinois 60603

of Chicago, Illinois, And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries, at the close of 
business on March 31, 1997, a state banking institution organized and 
operating under the banking laws of this State and a member of the Federal 
Reserve System. Published in accordance with a call made by the Commissioner 
of Banks and Trust Companies of the State of Illinois and by the Federal 
Reserve Bank of this District.

                        BANK'S TRANSIT NUMBER 71000288
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          THOUSANDS
                   ASSETS                                                                OF DOLLARS
<S>                                                                               <C>          <C>        
CASH AND BALANCES DUE FROM DEPOSITORY INSTITUTIONS:                                                       
           NON-INTEREST BEARING BALANCES AND CURRENCY AND COIN................                  $1,594,951
           INTEREST BEARING BALANCES..........................................                    $620,847
SECURITIES:...................................................................                            
A. HELD-TO-MATURITY SECURITIES                                                                          $0
B. AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES                                                                $3,674,321
FEDERAL FUNDS SOLD AND SECURITIES PURCHASED UNDER AGREEMENTS TO RESELL IN                                 
           DOMESTIC OFFICES OF THE BANK AND OF ITS EDGE AND AGREEMENT                                     
           SUBSIDIARIES, AND IN IBF'S:                                                                    
                    FEDERAL FUNDS SOLD........................................                    $447,375
                    SECURITIES PURCHASED UNDER AGREEMENTS TO                                            $0
RESELL........................................................................
LOANS AND LEASE FINANCING RECEIVABLES:
                    LOANS AND LEASES, NET OF UNEARNED INCOME..................     $8,499,011
                    LESS: ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE                               $110,978
LOSSES........................................................................
                                                                                   ----------

                    LOANS AND LEASES, NET OF UNEARNED INCOME, ALLOWANCE, AND RESERVE
                    (ITEM 4.a MINUS 4.b)......................................                  $8,388,033
ASSETS HELD IN TRADING ACCOUNTS...............................................                    $126,309
PREMISES AND FIXED ASSETS (INCLUDING CAPITALIZED LEASES)......................                    $188,993
OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED.......................................................                        $446
INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES AND ASSOCIATED COMPANIES..........                          $53
CUSTOMER'S LIABILITY TO THIS BANK ON ACCEPTANCES OUTSTANDING..................                     $66,859
INTANGIBLE ASSETS.............................................................                    $292,918
OTHER ASSETS..................................................................                    $495,997
                                                                                   ----------  -----------
TOTAL ASSETS                                                                                   $15,897,102
                                                                                   ----------  -----------
                                                                                   ----------  -----------

                                       3

<PAGE>

                   LIABILITIES
DEPOSITS:
           IN DOMESTIC OFFICES................................................                  $8,252,773
                    NON-INTEREST BEARING......................................     $3,414,150             
                    INTEREST BEARING..........................................     $4,838,623             
           IN FOREIGN OFFICES, EDGE AND AGREEMENT SUBSIDIARIES, AND IBF'S.....                  $1,989,792
                    NON-INTEREST  BEARING.....................................        $54,391             
                    INTEREST BEARING..........................................     $1,935,401             
FEDERAL FUNDS PURCHASED AND SECURITIES SOLD UNDER AGREEMENTS TO REPURCHASE IN                            
DOMESTIC OFFICES OF THE BANK AND OF ITS EDGE AND AGREEMENT SUBSIDIARIES, AND 
IN IBF'S:
     FEDERAL FUNDS PURCHASED & SECURITIES SOLD UNDER AGREEMENTS TO 
     REPURCHASE...............................................................                  $2,896,616
TRADING LIABILITIES                                                                                $81,381
OTHER BORROWED MONEY:.........................................................
A. WITH REMAINING MATURITY OF ONE YEAR OR LESS                                                    $991,442
B. WITH REMAINING MATURITY OF MORE THAN ONE YEAR                                                        $0
BANK'S LIABILITY ON ACCEPTANCES EXECUTED AND OUTSTANDING                                           $66,859
SUBORDINATED NOTES AND DEBENTURES.............................................                    $310,000
OTHER LIABILITIES.............................................................                    $138,427
                                                                                 -------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES                                                                              $14,727,290
                                                                                 -------------------------
                                                                                 -------------------------

                   EQUITY CAPITAL

COMMON STOCK..................................................................                    $100,000
SURPLUS.......................................................................                    $600,566
A.  UNDIVIDED PROFITS AND CAPITAL RESERVES....................................                    $519,518
B.  NET UNREALIZED HOLDING GAINS (LOSSES) ON AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES                        ($50,272)
                                                                                 -------------------------
TOTAL EQUITY CAPITAL                                                                            $1,169,812
                                                                                 -------------------------
                                                                                 -------------------------

TOTAL LIABILITIES, LIMITED-LIFE PREFERRED STOCK, AND EQUITY CAPITAL...........                 $15,897,102
                                                                                 -------------------------
                                                                                 -------------------------

</TABLE>

     I, Steve Neudecker, Vice President of the above-named bank, do hereby 
declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in conformance with 
the instructions issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve 
System and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

                              STEVE NEUDECKER
                                 4/30/97

     We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report 
of Condition and declare that it has been examined by us and, to the best of 
our knowledge and belief, has been prepared in conformance with the 
instructions issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System 
and the Commissioner of Banks and Trust Companies of the State of Illinois 
and is true and correct.

          EDWARD W. LYMAN,
          ALAN G. MCNALLY,
          MARIBETH S. RAHE

                                                                     Directors

                                       4



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